COLLIER 'BED TAX' INCREASES TODAY

Collier County’s tourist development tax, also known as the bed tax, increases from 4 to 5 percent effective today, according to a news release from the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. The formula for how those funds are allocated now shifts to accommodate payments for the county’s planned amateur sports complex along with increased funds for beach renourishment, funding county museums up to a fixed amount, and maintaining the current level of funding for tourism marketing and promotion. That brings the total tax paid on hotel rooms, campgrounds and short-term vacation rentals to 11 percent when combined with the existing six percent sales tax. A room rate of $200 per night would increase from $220 to $222 with both the tourist and sales taxes applied. It is the responsibility of owners and rental agents to collect a tourist tax on all accommodations that are rented for six months or less. Any property owner or agent with questions should call (239) 252-TTAX (8829), or email toursttax@colliertax.com.