Short term rentals must collect taxes

Many property owners in Washington are not aware that they may be required by law to collect and remit retail sales tax, and possibly other lodging taxes, if they rent out their homes for periods of less than 30 days. These short term rentals are referred to as “transient rentals.”

Anyone who intends to regularly engage in a transient rental business must collect and report taxes.

To find out what taxes must be collected and paid, call 1-800-647-7706 or go to dor.wa.gov for more information. Or write to Taxpayer Information and Education, Washington State Department of Revenue, PO Box 47478, Olympia, WA 98504-7478.