Santa Clara County STR operators must collect and remit TOT on stays 30 days or less. City rates vary (San Jose 10 percent, Sunnyvale 12.5 percent). Hosts remain liable even if platform collects.
Santa Clara County imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on stays of 30 consecutive days or less in unincorporated areas. Within incorporated cities, each municipality sets its own TOT rate (San Jose 10 percent, Santa Clara 9.5 percent, Sunnyvale 12.5 percent, Mountain View 10 percent). Combined state, county, and city charges on short-term lodging commonly approach 10 percent or more. Operators must register with the appropriate taxing jurisdiction before taking bookings, file periodic TOT returns (monthly or quarterly), and remit collected tax to the city or county. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit TOT automatically in many Santa Clara County jurisdictions through voluntary collection agreements, but hosts remain legally responsible for ensuring correct collection. Business license fees, tourism assessments, and tourism marketing district charges may apply separately.
Failing to register, collect, or remit TOT can result in back taxes plus penalties of up to 25 percent, interest, and personal liability for the operator. Chronic noncompliance may trigger permit revocation and legal action.
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