Arlington, TX Hotels & Lodging: Transient Occupancy Tax (2026)
Key Facts
- City HOT rate
- 9 percent
- State HOT rate
- 6 percent
- Combined rate
- 15 percent
- Threshold
- Rooms $2/day or more
- Filing
- Monthly remittance
Summary
Arlington imposes a 9% city Hotel Occupancy Tax on rooms costing $2 or more per day, stacked on top of the 6% Texas state HOT for a combined 15% rate, one of the higher hotel taxes in Texas.
Sec. 351.002. TAX AUTHORIZED. (a) A municipality by ordinance may impose a tax on a person who, under a lease, concession, permit, right of access, license, contract, or agreement, pays for the use or possession or for the right to the use or possession of a room that is in a hotel, costs $2 or more each day, and is ordinarily used for sleeping.(b) The price of a room in a hotel does not include the cost of food served by the hotel and the cost of personal services performed by the hotel for the person except for those services related to cleaning and readying the room for use or possession.(c) The tax does not apply to a person who is a permanent resident under Section 156.101 of this code. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Full Breakdown
Article III of the Arlington Code imposes a 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on the price paid for any hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfast, or short-term rental room costing $2 or more per day. The state of Texas adds another 6% under Texas Tax Code Chapter 156, producing a combined 15% effective rate. Operators must register, collect tax from guests, file monthly remittances to the city, and keep records four years. Arlington uses HOT revenue heavily to service AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field debt, plus tourism promotion through Visit Arlington and the convention center.
Violations & Fines
Failure to collect, remit, or file HOT returns is a misdemeanor; the city may assess penalties, interest, and audit operators. Repeated noncompliance can trigger collection lawsuits and lien filings against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Arlington's hotel tax so high?
Do short-term rentals owe HOT?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas hotels & lodging overview
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Transient Occupancy Tax in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle transient occupancy tax.