Hotel Occupancy Tax Program

MUNICIPAL HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REPORTING

Overview

In the early 1970s, the Texas Legislature authorized municipalities to begin collecting the local hotel occupancy tax (HOT). Almost two decades later, the Legislature offered hotel occupancy taxing authority as one of several revenue options to support local events and tourism. 

In 2017, the 85th Legislature passed Senate Bill 1221 with the intent of increasing local government transparency while also allowing the public to better understand the state’s patchwork of municipal HOTs. To comply with Tax Code Section 351.009, municipalities that impose certain HOTs now must annually report their tax rates and revenue amounts, including the percentage of revenue allocated for specific uses, from the preceding fiscal year.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Ordinance

The Town of Westlake levies a 7% hotel occupancy tax (HOT) on room rentals within the Town. This tax is collected by lodging providers from guests on rent paid, except in cases for which an exception is provided, and is remitted to the Town monthly.  

Hotel Occupancy Tax Reports