Taxes & Fees: Houston vs Tomball
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Houston, TX and Tomball, TX?
Houston and Tomball have similar restriction levels.
Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston STR operators owe a combined 17% hotel occupancy tax: 6% state, 7% city, 2% Harris County, and 2% Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. Major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect both state and city portions.
View full Houston rules →Tomball, TX
Harris County
Tomball levies a hotel occupancy tax (HOT) on short-term rentals of less than 30 consecutive days. The local HOT rate is 7%, collected in addition to the 6% state hotel tax. Hosts must collect, report, and remit the tax to the city on a quarterly basis.
View full Tomball rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Houston | Tomball |
|---|---|---|
| State HOT | 6% | - |
| City HOT | 7% | - |
| County + Sports | 2% + 2% | - |
| Total | Up to 17% | - |
| Auto-Collect | Airbnb & Vrbo | - |
| Local HOT Rate | - | 7% |
| State Hotel Tax | - | 6% |
| Combined Rate | - | 13% |
| Filing Frequency | - | Quarterly |
| Applies To | - | Stays under 30 days |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Houston FAQ
Does Airbnb collect Houston hotel tax?
Yes. Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect both the 6% state and 7% city hotel occupancy tax on behalf of Houston hosts. County taxes may require separate filing.
What is the total tax rate for Houston STRs?
Up to 17% total: 6% state, 7% city, 2% Harris County, and 2% Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.
Tomball FAQ
What is the hotel tax rate in Tomball TX?
Tomball charges a 7% local hotel occupancy tax plus the 6% state hotel tax, for a combined rate of 13% on short-term rental stays of less than 30 consecutive days.
Do Airbnb hosts have to pay hotel tax in Tomball?
Yes. All short-term rental hosts must collect and remit hotel occupancy tax. Airbnb may collect the state portion automatically, but hosts should verify the local 7% is being remitted to Tomball.
How do I register to collect hotel tax in Tomball?
Contact the City Secretary's office or Development Services at (281) 290-1012 to register as a hotel occupancy tax collector and receive filing instructions.
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