Denton, TX Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- State HOT
- 6% (TX Tax Code Ch. 156)
- City HOT
- 7% (TX Tax Code Ch. 351)
- Combined Rate
- 13%
- City Filing
- Monthly to Denton Finance Dept
- Registration Fee
- $100/year
Summary
STR operators must collect and remit state Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) of 6% plus City of Denton HOT of 7% for a combined 13% tax on all rentals under 30 consecutive days. TX Tax Code Ch. 351 authorizes the city HOT. Annual registration fee is $100. Platforms like Airbnb collect state HOT automatically but operators must remit city HOT directly.
Hotel owners, operators or managers must collect state hotel occupancy tax from their guests who rent a room or space in a hotel costing $15 or more each day. The tax applies not only to hotels and motels, but also to bed and breakfasts, condominiums, apartments and houses. Local hotel taxes apply to sleeping rooms costing $2 or more each day. With the numerous sporting and entertainment events around the state, many homeowners rent their homes or rooms in their house to people attending these events. Persons leasing their houses must collect hotel occupancy tax from their customers in the same way a hotel or motel collects the tax from its guests. Property management companies, online travel companies and other third-party rental companies may also be responsible for collecting the tax. Rates The state hotel occupancy tax rate is 6 percent (.06) of the cost of a room. Cities and certain counties and special purpose districts are authorized to impose an additional local hotel tax that the local taxing authority collects. Due Date Monthly: 20th day of the month following the end of each calendar month (for example, April 20 for March activity). Quarterly (if qualified): 20th day of the month following end of the calendar quarter (for example, April 20 for first quarter activity). Penalties and Interest Penalties A $50 penalty is assessed on each report filed after the due date. If tax is paid 1-30 days after the due date, a 5 percent penalty is assessed. If tax is paid over 30 days after the due date, a 10 percent penalty is assessed.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Short-term rental operators in Denton must collect two layers of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on all rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days. The Texas state HOT is 6%, collected and remitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts under TX Tax Code Ch. 156. The City of Denton HOT is 7%, authorized under TX Tax Code Ch. 351 (Municipal Hotel Occupancy Taxes). Combined tax rate: 13% of the nightly rental rate. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the state 6% HOT automatically in Texas but may not collect the city 7% -- operators must verify with their platform and remit the city portion directly to the City of Denton Finance Department if not collected by the platform.
City HOT is filed and remitted monthly. The $100 annual STR registration fee is separate from the HOT obligation. Failure to collect or remit HOT can result in penalties, interest, and back taxes assessed by both the Texas Comptroller and the City of Denton. HOT revenue funds tourism, convention promotion, and historic preservation per TX Tax Code Ch. 351.
Violations & Fines
Failure to remit HOT: back taxes plus penalties and interest. State: TX Comptroller enforcement. City: Finance Department enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Airbnb collect all taxes for Denton STRs?
What is the total tax on a Denton short-term rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
How Denton compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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Taxes & Fees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Denton County handle taxes & fees.