FAQ

Doesn't Airbnb pay the taxes?

Sometimes. Airbnb collects some state and local taxes, but not all of them. In some counties the host still has to register, file and pay. Our free checker tells you which.

Are you a CPA or law firm?

No. We prepare and file routine lodging tax returns and track deadlines. For tax advice, audits or back-tax strategy we refer you to an independent CPA.

Do you hold my money?

Never. We file and pay for you, straight from your own bank account to the county or state, by e-check (ACH debit) in the government's own portal. Your money never touches ours, so there is no HostTaxDesk account in the middle.

How do I authorize you?

Once, at sign-up: a signed payment authorization naming the account we may debit for county and state lodging tax, plus the county's agent or limited power-of-attorney form where one exists. You can revoke it at any time in writing.

Is it secure?

Read our security explainer. We never ask for passwords by email or chat. Portal logins are kept in an encrypted credential vault, used only to file and pay your returns; your bank details stay saved in the county's own portal, with access limited and logged. Where a county lets owners add a separate user or agent, we use that instead of your own login.

What if a payment fails?

We watch every payment through to its confirmation. If one is rejected (for example, insufficient funds or a bank debit block), we tell you the same day, fix the cause with you and resubmit before the county's deadline. Counties may add their own returned-payment fees; those are set by the county.

Can I see every payment?

Yes. Each filing's confirmation number, amount, date and the county's receipt go into your file the same day, and the debit shows on your own bank statement under the county's name.

What if I'm behind?

It's common. We can prepare catch-up returns ($75 each). For audits or back-tax strategy we refer you to an independent CPA. Filing late usually costs less than waiting.

What do you need from me?

Your address, county registration numbers (or help getting them), signed authorization forms, and your booking exports each period.

How is this different from doing it myself?

The tax is the same either way. Doing it yourself costs no fee, but you have to register, file every period (including $0 months), and track renewals in each county’s portal. We do that for you and pay from your own account. See the comparison.

How do you compare with Avalara MyLodgeTax?

Avalara MyLodgeTax publicly lists $39 per property per month plus a $299 one-time setup fee per property, and covers all 50 states. We charge $19 or $29 per property per month with no setup fee for founding clients, and focus on the counties where platforms don’t collect the local tax. Details and sources.

Can I choose a plan per property?

Yes. Each property can be on Filing or Concierge, and every property after your first is 25% off.

Will you pay back taxes without asking me?

Never. Catch-up returns ($75 each) are only filed and paid after you approve each one.

Can I cancel?

Yes. You can revoke your payment authorization at any time in writing, and we stop filing from the next period. Your confirmations and records stay yours.

How do I reach you?

Email [email protected]. A real person replies, usually within one business day.

When do you launch?

We're pre-launch, finishing a legal review. Waitlist members hear first.