Middlesex County short-term rentals under 32 days must collect the 5.7% Massachusetts state room occupancy excise plus local option taxes up to 6%, community impact fees, and convention center surcharges.
Under MGL c.64G, effective July 1, 2019, all short-term rentals in Massachusetts (stays of 31 days or fewer) must register with the Department of Revenue, collect a 5.7 percent state room occupancy excise, and remit taxes monthly. Middlesex County municipalities can adopt a local room occupancy tax of up to 6 percent by majority vote of the legislative body, which most cities (Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, Newton, Framingham, Waltham) have done at the full 6 percent. In addition, a Community Impact Fee of up to 3 percent may be levied on professionally managed properties (operators with two or more units), and Cambridge as a convention center community also collects a 2.75 percent Convention Center Financing Fee. Combined, professionally managed STRs in Cambridge can face a total tax burden of approximately 17.45 percent. All STR operators must also obtain a 1 million dollar liability insurance policy and register with the state. Hosted stays where the primary residence owner is present may qualify for limited exemptions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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