Blue Springs, MO Hotels & Lodging: Transient Occupancy Tax (2026)
Key Facts
- Tax rate
- 6.5% of gross daily rental receipts
- Applies to
- Transient guests staying 31 days or less
- Payment schedule
- Monthly to City Finance Department
- Late penalty
- 10% first month, 2%/month, capped 30%
- Criminal penalty
- Fine up to $500 or 3 months jail
- Fund use
- Convention and Visitor Fund
Summary
Every hotel and motel operator in the City of Blue Springs, Missouri owes an additional license tax of six and one-half percent (6.5%) on gross daily rental receipts from transient guests, on top of the standard business license fee, under City Code Section 655.020. Late payment triggers escalating penalties under Section 655.080.
In addition to the license fees levied on hotels and motels pursuant to Chapter 605, there is hereby levied upon every person engaged in the business of operating and carrying on the business of the operation of a hotel or motel, an additional license tax in an amount equal to six and one-half percent (6 1/2%) of gross daily rental receipts derived from transient guests for sleeping accommodations. ... For each month, or part thereof, any license tax provided for under this Chapter remains unpaid after the same shall be due and payable, there shall be added to such license tax as a penalty ten percent (10%) of the amount of such license tax for the first month or part thereof the same is unpaid, and for each and every month thereafter two percent (2%) of the amount of such license tax shall be added until the same is fully paid. In no case shall the total penalty exceed thirty percent (30%) of the license tax.
Full Breakdown
Section 655.020 levies a license tax equal to six and one-half percent of gross daily rental receipts a hotel or motel derives from transient guests, defined as anyone occupying a room 31 days or less in a calendar quarter, in addition to the regular business license fee charged under Chapter 605. The tax is paid monthly to the City Finance Department under Section 655.040, due on or before the last day of the month following collection, and every operator must file a monthly report on forms the Finance Director prescribes under Section 655.050.
The Finance Director may examine an operator's books and records at any reasonable time to verify the reports under Section 655.060, and an operator delinquent for three or more months in the prior year must post a bond before its business or liquor license can be renewed under Section 655.070. Section 655.080 adds a 10% penalty for the first month a tax payment is late and 2% for every month after, capped at 30% of the tax owed, and the Finance Director may move to suspend or revoke the operator's business or liquor license if the tax remains unpaid five days past its due date.
Filing a false or fraudulent statement, or failing to file or pay, is also punishable by a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to three months, or both. Proceeds fund the City's Convention and Visitor Fund, which may not have more than 6% of collections diverted to administrative costs under Section 655.090.
Violations & Fines
Late tax payments draw a 10% penalty for the first month, plus 2% per month thereafter, capped at 30% of the tax due (Section 655.080). Unpaid tax five days past due can trigger suspension or revocation of the operator's business or liquor license, and filing a false statement or failing to file or pay is punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to three months' imprisonment, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Blue Springs
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Transient Occupancy Tax in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle transient occupancy tax.