Duval County is taking another step toward improving compliance among short-term rental operators by partnering with major vacation rental platforms to collect tourist taxes automatically.
In late 2025, the Duval County Tourist Development Council approved the use of Voluntary Collection Agreements (VCAs) with online booking platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar services. Under these agreements, participating platforms collect the county's 6% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) from guests at the time of booking and remit the funds directly to the county on behalf of property owners.
The goal is simple: increase tax compliance while making the collection process easier for both property owners and local government.
For years, Duval County officials believed many short-term rental operators either misunderstood their tax obligations or failed to remit the required Tourist Development Tax. As the popularity of vacation rentals continued to grow, so did concerns that the county was missing out on significant tourism-related revenue.
By shifting the responsibility for collecting the tax to the booking platforms themselves, county officials hope to reduce reporting errors, simplify compliance, and ensure taxes are paid consistently.
Revenue generated through the Tourist Development Tax helps fund a variety of tourism-related projects throughout Duval County, including destination marketing, beach improvements, sports facilities, and other initiatives designed to attract visitors and strengthen the local economy.
While the new agreements simplify tax collection, property owners should understand that they do not eliminate all legal responsibilities associated with operating a short-term rental. Owners remain responsible for complying with applicable state and local regulations, obtaining any required licenses or registrations, maintaining proper insurance coverage, and reporting any taxes not collected through a participating platform.
For landlords considering converting a traditional long-term rental into a vacation rental, it's important to understand that short-term rentals operate under a very different set of rules than residential leases governed by Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Tax obligations, local ordinances, zoning restrictions, licensing requirements, and insurance needs can all differ significantly.
As more Florida communities continue to evaluate the impact of vacation rentals, automated tax collection agreements like these are likely to become increasingly common.
Automatic tax collection is good news for responsible short-term rental owners. It reduces paperwork, helps avoid costly reporting mistakes, and creates a more level playing field for everyone operating legally. However, don't assume that because the platform collects the tourist tax your compliance work is finished. Every short-term rental owner should understand the local rules that apply to their property and periodically review them, because local governments continue to adjust regulations as this industry evolves.
