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City moves to broaden transient lodging tax collection options and develop audit system for short‑term rentals
Summary
Staff presented code amendments to clarify definitions around lodging providers and intermediaries and described plans for third‑party assistance and audit capability to increase transient lodging tax compliance from short‑term rentals.
City staff briefed council on proposed clarifications to the transient lodging tax (TLT) code and described plans to expand collection options for short‑term rentals and intermediaries.
Code clarifications and intent
Jennifer Ware told council that suggested code updates are intended to clarify definitions — lodging provider, lodging intermediary and tax collector — and do not change policy. The changes are housekeeping to broaden collection options, including collection by intermediaries such as booking platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) where appropriate.
Enforcement and collection approach
Staff said they are working with a third party to identify existing short‑term rental listings in Albany, establish collection mechanics, and implement an audit system to verify remittances. Ware said the current code allows for back audits and penalties when remittances are late. Councilors noted that an earlier Oregon report showed significant uncollected TLT in some jurisdictions and asked staff to ensure the city’s system is robust.
Next steps
Staff will continue to refine code language and select a third‑party solution to identify listings and enable compliance checks and audits. The matter will return for formal action as needed.
