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Lee County Clerk warns online platforms limit bed-tax reporting; system upgrade under consideration
Summary
Clerk of Court Kevin Karnes told the TDC that tourist-development tax reporting is currently done by taxpayer account rather than by property, that online travel companies do not supply account-holder details, and that the clerk’s office is evaluating a system replacement to obtain more granular data.
Kevin Karnes, Lee County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, told the Tourist Development Council on Dec. 11 that limitations in existing reporting systems and the practices of online travel companies complicate attempts to break bed-tax receipts down by municipality or property.
Karnes explained the county receives collections by taxpayer account and that many online travel companies remit under voluntary collection agreements (VCAs) without providing detailed account-holder or property-address data. "Online travel companies are currently not giving us the taxpayer information along with their payments," Karnes said, adding the clerk’s office is careful to avoid violating Florida statutes that protect taxpayer information.
Karnes outlined the clerk’s compliance and enforcement tools, including audits, notices and — in extreme cases — tax warrants and liens. He said the office conducts audits of hotels, motels and property managers and has staff dedicated to collection and compliance. On data improvements he said a modernized system would be considered during the next budget cycle and that implementation typically takes around 12 months.
Council members asked whether the clerk could produce reports that distinguish revenue from travel companies, property managers and individual owners and whether municipalities such as Cape Coral and Estero could be reported separately. Karnes said legal and system constraints sometimes prevent public reporting at a municipality level, but he committed to researching options with county attorneys and presenting findings to the council.
Karnes also described the inspector-general hotline for reporting suspected noncompliance; tips may be submitted anonymously, and the office will investigate where warranted but cannot disclose outcomes due to statutory limits on taxpayer information.
Next steps: Clerk’s office to return with research on reporting options and potential system upgrades.
