Your Guide to Duval County’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals

ByTyler Collins
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If you operate a short-term rental in Jacksonville or anywhere else in Duval County, Florida, understanding the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) is critical for staying compliant — and protecting your business.

In this post, we’ll break down exactly what the TDT is, what it covers, and how you can easily set up your Airbnb, Vrbo, or direct bookings to handle it the right way.

What Is the Tourist Development Tax (TDT)?

The Tourist Development Tax (TDT) is a local occupancy tax charged on all short-term rental stays of six months or less.

In Duval County:

  • The TDT rate is 6%.
  • It’s in addition to Florida’s 6% state sales tax and Duval County’s 1.5% discretionary surtax.
  • It must be filed and paid directly to Duval County, not the Florida Department of Revenue.

💡 Good to know: There’s no cost to create or maintain a TDT account unless you fall behind and become delinquent.

Where Else Could Extra Rules Apply?

If your property is located in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, or the Town of Baldwin, be aware that additional requirements or local business taxes (LBTs) may apply.
Each municipality sets its own rules, so it’s a good idea to double-check with the city where your rental is located.

What Fees Are Subject to the TDT?

Any mandatory charge tied to the booking is subject to the 6% TDT. This includes:

  • Cleaning fees
  • Pet fees
  • Parking fees
  • Resort fees
  • Any other non-optional fees

💬 Airbnb Host Tip: You need to manually configure these fees in your listing’s tax settings to make sure they are properly taxed.

What’s Not Subject to the TDT?

Not everything you collect from guests is taxable:

  • Refunded reservations: If a stay is partially refunded, you only pay tax on the final gross.
  • Damage reimbursements: Charges for broken or missing items are not taxable as room income.
  • Your owner expenses: Utilities, maintenance, and cleaning supplies aren’t deductible against TDT — because TDT is a guest tax, not an owner tax.
  • Exemptions: Almost all Airbnb and short-term rental stays are taxable unless specifically exempt under county rules — so assume you owe unless told otherwise.

How to Register for a TDT Account in Duval County

Setting up your property correctly is simple:

Step 1: Complete the TDT Application (FOUND HERE)

  • Download the Duval County TDT application.
  • Add yourself or your business as the authorized representative.
  • The property owner must sign unless you have legal authorization (like a management agreement).

Step 2: Submit the Application and Receive Your Account Number

  • Every property gets its own TDT account.
  • You can make combined payments for multiple accounts, but you must file reports separately for each one.

Step 3: Set Up a Local Business Tax (LBT) Account

  • Add the property to your existing LBT license or create a new one.
  • Reminder: Properties in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Baldwin may require separate LBT licenses as well.

How Airbnb Handles the Duval County Tourist Development Tax

If you’re hosting on Airbnb in Duval County, here’s what you need to know:

  • Airbnb allows you to configure your listing to collect the 6% TDT from the guest at booking.
  • ⚠ However, Airbnb does not file or pay the TDT to Duval County for you.
  • You are responsible for reporting and remitting the TDT yourself through the Duval County Tourist Express Portal.

🚫 Important: None of the major hosting platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Evolve, HomeAway) remit Duval County’s TDT on your behalf.

How to Set Up TDT Collection in Airbnb

  1. Go to your Airbnb listing
  2. Click Edit Preferences > Taxes > Add a Tax
  3. Choose Tourist Development Tax
  4. Enter 6% as the rate
  5. Provide your Business Tax ID and Accommodations Tax Registration Number

Setting this up properly ensures Airbnb charges the guest — but remember, you still have to submit the tax to the county yourself.

Need Help or Have Questions?

You can contact the Duval County Tourist Development Tax Office directly for support:
📧 TouristTax@COJ.NET

⚠ Heads up: They can only assist with Duval County taxes, not other cities or counties.

Final Thoughts

Getting your Tourist Development Tax (TDT) right is crucial if you want to avoid penalties and operate a smooth, profitable short-term rental business in Jacksonville and Duval County.
By properly setting up your listings, collecting taxes, and filing monthly returns, you’ll stay compliant — and protect your business for the long haul.