Counties › Florida › Highlands County, FL
Highlands County, FL: vacation rental tax and permit guide
Last checked Oct 26, 2026 from official sources. Not tax advice.
Own a rental in Highlands County, FL? See in two minutes what you owe and whether your platform already pays it. Free, private, no sign-up.
Check my countyReserve a founding place| Lodging tax | 5% Highlands County Tourist Development Tax, collected by the county (DOR DR-15TDT), plus Florida 6% state sales tax and the county surtax, filed with Florida DOR. |
|---|---|
| Does Airbnb or Vrbo collect it? | No. Highlands is not on Airbnb's Florida county list (Help 2301), so the owner files. Vrbo also lists Highlands. Both collect the state sales tax and surtax. Direct bookings are always yours. |
| Where to file | Highlands County Tax Collector |
| How often / due | For tax collected on or after Oct 1, 2026: file and pay the county directly by the 20th of the following month. |
| Late penalty | Florida standard (s. 212.12): 10% per 30 days, minimum $50, up to 50%, plus interest. County-specific wording: Confirm with county. |
| Registration / permit | Tourist-tax application with the Tax Collector. |
| Main markets | Sebring, Lake Placid (FL) |
| Good to know | New in October 2026: Highlands moved from state (DOR) to county collection on Oct 1, 2026 (DOR TIP 26A01-12). Vrbo collects Highlands TDT from Oct 1, 2026; Airbnb's list does not name Highlands yet, so Airbnb hosts should check payouts. Online filing keeps a 2.5% allowance (max $30). |
Related guides
Sources
- Highlands Tax Collector, Tourist Taxes (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- DOR TIP 26A01-12 (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Florida DOR Form DR-15TDT (R. 10/26) (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Airbnb Help 2301 (Florida) (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Vrbo Help: lodging taxes U.S. F–M (checked Oct 26, 2026)
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- Free checkTell us the address. We list every lodging tax, permit and deadline, and which ones Airbnb or Vrbo already pay.
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- We file and payEvery return, including $0 months, filed and paid from your account to the county, with each confirmation in your file.
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