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Taxes›Florida›Alachua County›Gainesville

Gainesville
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for Gainesville, Florida. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

What you need to do in Gainesville

Checked against the source
  1. No action
    Short-term rentals are allowed in Gainesville

    None for STRs: effective 10/1/2021 city stopped regulating rentals <30 days (no permit/registration). Residential Rental Unit Permit applies only to rentals of 30+ days (Ch. 14.5).

  2. To do
    Get the Gainesville short-term rental license or registration

    None for STRs: effective 10/1/2021 city stopped regulating rentals <30 days (no permit/registration). Residential Rental Unit Permit applies only to rentals of 30+ days (Ch. 14.5) | none found

    Where to apply

  3. To do
    Register for your Florida sales tax account

    Sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals are always reported and paid to the Florida Department of Revenue (Form DR-15), so you need a Department sales tax account. Confirm registration and any county tourist tax account before renting.

    State source

  4. To do
    Who collects the 5% Alachua County occupancy tax depends on the booking channel

    Airbnb: collects it for you; Vrbo: collects it for you; Booking.com: not confirmed; Direct: you collect and remit. Where a channel's answer is not confirmed, check its tax settings.

  5. To do
    File monthly returns

    The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

Get a reminder before each monthly Gainesville return is due

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What to know.

None for STRs: effective 10/1/2021 city stopped regulating rentals <30 days (no permit/registration). Residential Rental Unit Permit applies only to rentals of 30+ days (Ch. 14.5). The published guide for Gainesville lists 5% county occupancy tax. The state table lists a 6% Florida state sales tax in addition. County discretionary sales surtax and local transient rental taxes may apply in addition. State registration applies even when a platform collects the tax: Florida sales tax account. A license or registration is required.

At a glance.

County tax
5%
State tax
6%
Total for a direct booking
11%
License
Required
Local filing
By booking channel
SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Alachua County: Recorded exemptions

Applies to the rental or lease of living, sleeping, or housekeeping accommodations for a term of six months or less; the local tax is in addition to the 6% state sales tax and any applicable discretionary sales surtax (FL DOR DR-15TDT, R. 10/26).

Alachua County: Recorded remittance instructions

Airbnb and Vrbo/HomeAway collect and remit county Tourist Development Tax, effective January 1, 2025. Hosts booking exclusively through Airbnb or Vrbo are exempt from monthly county returns.

Alachua County: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Monthly.

Alachua County: County tax applicability

The county tax is shown separately from municipal tax.

Source for these notes: alachuacollector.com: tourist development 2019

Platform tax collection guidance for Gainesville

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbPlatform collectsCheck
VrboPlatform collectsCheck
Booking.comPlatform collectsCheck
DirectYou collect and remitYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Get the required license or registration

    Apply for the required license or registration with the licensing office before you list.

  • Collection of the 5% county tax

    Follow the channel breakdown above; you collect and remit tax on direct bookings.

  • File your tax returns

    File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

  • Florida sales tax account

    Sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals are always reported and paid to the Florida Department of Revenue (Form DR-15), so you need a Department sales tax account. Confirm registration and any county tourist tax account before renting.

  • Check the state tax requirements

    Use the linked state tax instructions to register and file.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
Alachua County occupancy tax5%
Source
Source linked
Florida state sales tax6%
Source
Source linked
Florida sales tax accountState requirement
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordRequired
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

Gainesville STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my Gainesville occupancy taxes?

Airbnb collects this tax. You collect and remit tax on direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in Gainesville?

A license or registration is required.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.