By state

Short-term rental taxes in Alabama

What you charge guests, who remits it, and what you have to hold.

50+ cities. 7 countries. Run remotely. See how Corzly manages properties
Five stacked layers of short-term rental rules. From the bottom: state, county, city, special districts, and HOA and CCRs. The state layer is marked, the one this page covers.

Step one of five

Alabama is the layer that never changes.

Everything on this page applies right across Alabama, wherever the property sits. That makes it the one part you can settle before you know the address.

The four layers above it are the ones that move: county, city, special purpose districts, then private rules like an HOA or a neighbourhood covenant that appear in no government database at all. Two properties on opposite sides of the same street can owe different totals.

Run your address for the other four

What Alabama charges statewide

These apply across Alabama. Counties and cities add their own on top, which is where the totals diverge.

TaxRateApplies toConfidence
State Lodgings TaxAlabama Department of Revenue 4% The taxable amount includes all charges required to stay, such as cleaning fees and mandatory surcharges. High Source

Drawn from the Alabama jurisdictions researched so far. These are the statewide figures only. Open a city below, or run your own address, for the county, city and district layers that stack on top.

Does the platform collect it for you

Only the state layer. Each local tax must be collected and remitted separately, even if the state collects it on their behalf.

ChannelWhat you chargeWho remits the state layerConfidence
AirbnbPlatform is merchant of record Nothing, the platform collects all of it for the STATE. The platform High Source
VrboYou are merchant of record 4% plus any required local taxes (state portion only, confirm local separately). You do High Source
Booking.comYou are merchant of record 4% plus any required local taxes (state portion only, confirm local separately). You do High Source
ExpediaYou are merchant of record 4% plus any required local taxes (state portion only, confirm local separately). You do High Source
GoogleYou are merchant of record 4% plus any required local taxes (state portion only, confirm local separately). You do High Source
WhimstayYou are merchant of record 4% plus any required local taxes (state portion only, confirm local separately). You do High Source
DirectYou are merchant of record 4% plus any required local taxes (state portion only, confirm local separately). You do High Source

Still yours to charge: all local (city and county) lodging taxes.

Questions owners ask about Alabama

Does Airbnb collect and remit Alabama state lodging tax for me?

Yes, Airbnb collects and remits the Alabama state lodgings tax on your behalf for bookings on its platform. However, local city and county lodging taxes still need to be collected and remitted by the operator, even if the state is the filing authority.

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What is the Alabama state lodging tax rate for short-term rentals?

The Alabama state lodgings tax is 4% of the total room rental charges for stays of less than 180 consecutive days. Local county and city lodging taxes can add to this rate.

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How long can a guest stay before lodging tax no longer applies in Alabama?

If a guest stays for 180 consecutive days or more, the rental is not considered subject to the state lodgings tax. This applies to the same person occupying the same space for that duration, and documentation may be required to prove exemption.

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Do I need a state license or permit to operate a short-term rental in Alabama?

You need to register for a state lodging tax account with the Alabama Department of Revenue if you rent accommodations for less than 180 days. There is no separate statewide short-term rental operating license, but local governments may have additional requirements.

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When are lodging tax returns due in Alabama?

Lodgings tax returns are due on or before the 20th day of the month after rentals occurred. Operators with less than $200 average monthly tax liability may apply to file quarterly. Zero returns are required even if you have no bookings for the period.

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Are cleaning fees included in the taxable amount for Alabama lodging tax?

Yes, the Alabama state lodgings tax applies to the entire amount charged to the guest, including mandatory cleaning fees and surcharges.

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Is there an exemption for government employees or non-profit guests?

Rentals to employees of the federal government on official business are exempt when paid with government funds and proper identification is provided. There is no general exemption for non-profits.

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How do I file returns and pay the Alabama state lodging tax?

Returns and payments must be made online through the My Alabama Taxes portal. Create an account and register for a lodging tax account before collecting and remitting tax. All returns must be filed even if no tax is owed for a period.

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Do I have to file a return if I have no rentals in a given month in Alabama?

Yes, Alabama requires you to submit a zero return for each tax period even if there were no rentals or tax to remit. Failing to file carries a minimum penalty.

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What is the late penalty for missing an Alabama lodging tax return?

The late penalty for an Alabama lodgings tax return is 10% of the tax due or $50, whichever is greater, plus interest on any outstanding tax.

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Already researched

Nothing in Alabama yet

No Alabama jurisdiction has been run. Start one and the page publishes itself, usually within a few minutes.

Run the first one

After the research

Setting the rates takes an afternoon. Running the property never stops.

The tax setup on this page is a one-time job, and you can do it yourself. Owners call us about everything underneath it.

The work How often
Channel tax settingsRates entered on each platform, direct included Once
Pricing against the marketRates moved as comps, events and pace change Daily
Guest messagingEnquiries, check-ins, problems at 2am 24/7
Listings and distributionContent, photos and settings across every channel Ongoing
Turnovers and coordinationCleans, maintenance, the gaps between stays Every checkout
Reviews and reputationFollow-up that earns the five star, disputes that do not Every stay

We run 300+ properties across 50+ cities and 7 countries, remotely, without standing in any of them. A property in Alabama is no harder for us to take on than one down the road from our last partner.

See how Corzly manages properties

We do not register, file or remit for you, and we are not tax professionals.

Rates and rules change. Confirm with the taxing authority before you rely on any figure here.