Lubbock, TX Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- Combined Rate
- 13 percent total
- City HOT
- 7 percent Lubbock
- State HOT
- 6 percent Texas
- 30+ Day Rule
- Exempt from HOT
- Filing
- Quarterly with city
Summary
Lubbock STRs under 30 days owe a combined 13 percent HOT: 7 percent city plus 6 percent state. Airbnb auto-collects state HOT; city HOT collection varies by platform.
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. [...] 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. [...] 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). [...] 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.
Full Breakdown
Texas Tax Code Chapter 156 imposes a 6 percent state Hotel Occupancy Tax on rentals under 30 consecutive days. Lubbock imposes an additional 7 percent city HOT under Chapter 351 of the Tax Code and Lubbock Code Chapter 10, for a combined rate of 13 percent on the room rate. Operators must register with the Lubbock Finance Department and file HOT returns quarterly along with remitting collected tax. State HOT is filed with the Texas Comptroller. Airbnb automatically collects and remits the 6 percent state HOT on behalf of hosts in Texas. City HOT collection by platforms is inconsistent, so hosts should verify what each booking platform remits and file returns for any shortfall. Taxes do not apply to bookings of 30 consecutive days or longer to the same occupant. Cleaning fees and mandatory pet fees are generally taxable as part of the room rate.
Violations & Fines
Failure to collect or remit HOT: penalty of 5 percent plus interest, increasing to 10 percent if unpaid over 30 days. Willful evasion can be criminal under state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Airbnb collect all my taxes in Lubbock?
Are long-term stays exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lubbock
How Lubbock compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Lubbock to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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