Airbnb renters to pay hotel tax in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Airbnb guests in Texas will soon be charged a hotel occupancy tax.

The 6 percent tax, part of an agreement between Airbnb and the state of Texas, will go into effect on May 1, according to the Houston Business Journal.

More than 275 jurisdictions around the world require Airbnb to collect and remit hotel taxes. Across Texas, there are more than 26,000 Airbnb hosts, who can earn nearly $5,000 per year through the service, the company said.

Houston alone hosts more than 3,700 Airbnb properties.

"The sharing economy plays an important role in our state's overall fiscal health," Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said in a statement. "Airbnb is taking a true leadership role by setting an example and acting as a responsible partner with the state of Texas as our dynamic economy continues to evolve."

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