Thinking about renting your Pointe West home for a season or on weekends? Before you take your first booking, make sure you understand the local tourist tax rules that apply to short stays. Getting this right protects your income and keeps you in good standing with county and state requirements. In this guide, you’ll learn which taxes apply, who must register and file, what charges are taxable, and how to avoid costly penalties. Let’s dive in.
Which taxes apply to short-term rentals
If you rent for 6 months or less, your rental is considered a transient rental in Florida. Indian River County requires a Tourist Development Tax of 5% on transient stays, and the state applies sales tax plus a county surtax. According to county and state references, the typical combined tax for Pointe West short-term rentals is 12% of the taxable rental amount. Review the county’s guidance on the local tax on transient rentals on the Indian River County Clerk’s page and confirm your property’s specifics before you list.
- County Tourist Development Tax: 5% of taxable rental receipts, collected for Indian River County. See the county overview at the Clerk’s site: Tourist Development Tax.
- Florida sales tax and county surtax: 6% state sales tax plus a 1% county discretionary surtax, for a combined 7% in Indian River County. See the rate reference for Indian River County at Avalara.
- Transient rental definition: Applies to accommodations rented for 6 months (182 days) or less under Florida Statutes, Chapter 212.03.
Who must register, collect, and file
You, as the property owner, are responsible for collecting and remitting the county Tourist Development Tax. You are also responsible for sales tax registration and collection with the Florida Department of Revenue. If you use an agent or property manager, you still remain ultimately liable if taxes are not remitted.
- Monthly county filing: Returns and payment for the Tourist Development Tax are due on or before the 20th of the month following the month you collected the tax. Indian River County allows a 2.5% collection allowance, capped at $30. Late filing generally triggers a 10% or 50 dollar penalty, whichever is greater, plus interest. See details at the Indian River County Clerk’s TDT page.
- State sales tax filing: The Florida Department of Revenue assigns filing frequency based on your collections. Start by registering with the DOR.
Registration steps
- Register to collect Florida sales and use tax with the Department of Revenue: Florida DOR sales and use tax.
- Open a Tourist Development Tax account with the Indian River County Clerk: TDT registration and guidance.
- Obtain any required Local Business Tax Receipt from the county tax collector or the city, if applicable: Indian River County Local Business Tax.
What counts as taxable rental receipts
Tax is calculated on the rental rate plus any charges that are required as a condition of occupancy. In practice, that includes the nightly or weekly rate and most mandatory fees. Keep clear, itemized invoices to show what is taxable and what is not.
- Common taxable items: the base rent, required cleaning fees, required resort or amenity fees, required pet fees, and other mandatory charges. Florida’s rules explain that charges required for the right to use the accommodation are taxable. See Florida Admin. Code Rule 12A-1.061.
- Common non-taxable items: fully refundable security deposits that are not forfeited, and truly optional services that are separately itemized and not required for occupancy.
Exemptions and the six-month rule
A bona fide written lease for more than six months is exempt from transient rental taxes. Also, if a guest has continuously resided in the property for six months after paying the tax for the first six months, that guest becomes exempt starting in month seven. Taxes already paid for earlier months are not refunded. See the statutory framework in Chapter 212.03, Florida Statutes.
Platforms and who remits
Florida’s marketplace laws require many platforms to collect and remit state sales tax on eligible transactions, but platform practices for county Tourist Development Tax vary by county and provider. Some platforms may collect certain occupancy taxes for Indian River County, while others may not. You must verify what each platform actually collects for your specific listing and location.
- Marketplace overview: See background on Florida’s marketplace rules at BDO’s summary.
- Platform help pages: Check your host dashboard and documentation to confirm what is collected for Indian River County. For example, see Airbnb’s resource on occupancy taxes.
Important: Even if a platform collects some taxes, you remain responsible for ensuring all applicable taxes are filed and paid on time.
Pointe West community and city checks
Pointe West is a deed-restricted community with community rules for guests and amenities. Review your HOA or POA covenants, any rental-frequency limits, guest wristband requirements for the Beach Club, and any guest fees. See guest rules at the Pointe West Beach Club.
Also confirm whether your property lies inside the City of Vero Beach or in unincorporated Indian River County. Certain municipalities may have additional rental rules separate from county taxes. A quick starting point for city-specific considerations is this Vero Beach short-term rental overview, then verify with city code if your home is inside city limits.
Owner checklist before you list
- Confirm jurisdiction: City of Vero Beach or unincorporated county, since city rules can differ.
- Review Pointe West HOA or POA covenants and obtain any required approvals. Note guest wristbands and amenity rules if applicable.
- Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales and use tax.
- Set up your Indian River County TDT account with the Clerk.
- Obtain any Local Business Tax Receipt from the county tax collector or the city.
- Decide whether to show taxes as a separate line item or build them into your rate. Either way, collect and remit correctly.
- Keep clear records of all receipts, taxable line items, and filings for at least three years.
- If you list on a marketplace, get written confirmation of which taxes the platform collects and keep those records.
Example tax calculation
A guest books two nights at $200 per night and pays a $50 mandatory cleaning fee. Your taxable base is $450. Apply 7% for state and county sales tax and 5% for the county Tourist Development Tax. The sales tax is $31.50 and the Tourist Development Tax is $22.50, for total taxes of $54.00. The guest’s total becomes $504.00. Rate references are summarized here: Indian River County sales tax details.
Stay current and compliant
Tax rules and platform collection practices can change. Before you publish your listing or update your rates, confirm current requirements with the Indian River County Clerk and the Florida Department of Revenue. Keep your filings on schedule and your records organized to take advantage of the collection allowance and avoid penalties.
Ready to talk through a rental strategy for your Pointe West property or explore investment options across Indian River County? Connect with the Schlitt Gonzalez Team for local guidance backed by decades of neighborhood expertise.
FAQs
What is the Tourist Development Tax for Pointe West short-term rentals?
- Indian River County imposes a 5% Tourist Development Tax on transient rentals, which is in addition to 7% state and county sales tax for a typical total of 12% on the taxable rental amount.
When are Indian River County tourist tax returns due?
- Monthly TDT returns are due on or before the 20th of the month following the month in which you collected the tax; penalties and interest apply if you file late.
Are cleaning fees taxable on short-term rentals in Pointe West?
- Yes, if the cleaning fee is required as a condition of the stay, it is taxable under Florida rules; optional, separately declined services are not taxable.
Do platforms like Airbnb file taxes for me in Indian River County?
- Some platforms collect certain taxes, but practices vary; you must verify what each platform collects for your listing and remain responsible for any amounts not remitted on your behalf.
Do I need a business tax receipt to rent in Pointe West?
- You may need a Local Business Tax Receipt from the county tax collector or a city business license if your property is inside city limits; check the requirements for your address.
Which rentals are exempt from Florida transient rental tax?
- Rentals under a bona fide written lease for more than six months are exempt, and a guest who has continuously resided for six months becomes exempt starting in month seven (taxes already paid are not refunded).
