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Room Occupancy Tax

Lodging Owners/Managers – Responsible For Reading This Information
Rules and Regulations: Under Authority of Local Law #4, 1976 & Amended Local Law #1, 2021. – ROT Laws


Due Dates – Filing Returns
(Must be postmarked by due date-metered mail will not be accepted)

QuarterPeriod CoveredDue Date
1stJanuary 1st through March 31stApril 20th
2ndApril 1st through June 30thJuly 20th
3rdJuly 1st through September 30thOctober 20th
4thOctober 1st through December 31stJanuary 20th

Forms are available here download.
Return of Tax on Occupancy of Hotel Rooms
Certificate of Registration


Payment of Tax:

At the time of filing Room Occupancy tax return, all taxes shall be paid by mail, online submission and payment per tab above or in person to:

Chief Fiscal Officer
Onondaga County Department of Finance
Civic Center – 14th Floor
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, New York 13202

Phone: (315) 435-3346

Failure to pay taxes with a filed return on the due date listed above will result in the Department of Finance issuing a formal notice and demand for payment of tax and all interest and penalties thereon.


Penalties and Interest

1) Penalties
Failure to File: A penalty of 5% will be assessed for each month of non-filing up to a maximum of 25%.
Failure to Pay: A penalty of 5% will be assessed on the amount of tax due, but not paid.
PENALTIES WILL NOT BE CONCURRENT

2) Interest
Interest will be assessed at a rate of 1% per month on the unpaid balance of any taxes remaining due from the due date of the return.

3) Personal Liability
Individual proprietors, partners, and officers of a corporate operator are personally liable for the tax collected or required to be collected by such corporation under this local law, and subject to the penalties herein above imposed. Further collection actions are explained in Local Law#15, adopted March 4, 1991.

The above listed penalties, fees and interest do not include the entirety of charges and liability for a failure to comply with applicable room occupancy taxes. Please review the link above to “Room Occupancy Tax Statutes for additional details.


Room Charges Applicable to Occupancy Tax

The following is a listing of typical lodging charges and application of occupancy tax:

RevenueApplication of Occupancy Tax
Room ChargeYes-unless  tax  exempt
Smoking FeeNo
Meeting RoomNo
Pet FeeYes
VendingNo
ParkingNo
Dry CleaningNo
No Show / Late Fee / Early Check In / Late Check OutYes