Wichita Falls, TX Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- Tax
- Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)
- Applies To
- Stays of 30 days or fewer
- Registration
- Required with Finance Department
- State Tax
- Also applies: remit to TX Comptroller
Summary
Wichita Falls imposes a hotel occupancy tax on short-term rental stays of 30 days or fewer. Operators must register, collect the tax from guests, and remit it to the city on a regular basis.
Sec. 156.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter, "hotel" means a building in which members of the public obtain sleeping accommodations for consideration. The term includes a hotel, motel, tourist home, tourist house, tourist court, lodging house, inn, rooming house, or bed and breakfast. The term does not include:(1) a hospital, sanitarium, or nursing home;(2) a dormitory or other housing facility owned or leased and operated by an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, used by the institution for the purpose of providing sleeping accommodations for persons engaged in an educational program or activity at the institution
Full Breakdown
Short-term rental operators in Wichita Falls must collect and remit the city's hotel occupancy tax (HOT) on stays of 30 days or fewer. The tax rate is set by city ordinance and applies to all transient lodging. Operators must register with the city's Finance Department and file regular returns. State hotel occupancy tax also applies and is remitted to the Texas Comptroller. Platforms may collect some taxes, but operators remain responsible for compliance.
Violations & Fines
Failure to collect or remit hotel occupancy tax may result in back taxes, penalties, interest, and potential legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to collect hotel tax for my Wichita Falls STR?
Where do I register for hotel tax in Wichita Falls?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita Falls
How Wichita Falls compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Wichita Falls to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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