Warren County Treasurer: Short-term rental owners could face legal action for not registering
Property owners required to register under Occupancy Tax Law
WARREN COUNTY, NY – The Warren County Treasurer’s Office is urging owners of properties in Warren County used for short-term rental to register with the county Treasurer’s Office or risk court action for failing to comply with Warren County Occupancy Tax Law.
Warren County Treasurer Michael Swan and his staff have been working with property owners since September 2020 to have them register to collect and remit Warren County’s 4% occupancy tax on hotels, motels, lodges and short-term rentals.
Nearly 1,000 rental properties have been registered. But the Treasurer’s Office staff is aware of 175 or so properties whose owners have not come forward, and are not forwarding occupancy tax receipts to the Treasurer’s Office despite written correspondence being sent to them from the Treasurer’s Office advising them to do so.
Treasurer Swan noted: “We have sent letters to every short-term rental owner we have identified, and the vast majority have worked with us. Unfortunately the next step for those who don’t register is taking them to court. That is a last resort but it’s the only option we have left for those who are ignoring our requests.”
Short-term rentals are rentals of 30 days or shorter in duration.
Under Warren County’s Occupancy Tax Law, property owners are liable for back payments, and penalties can be assessed as well. Property owners who rent through Airbnb, VRBO or other similar platforms are required to register with the county.
Proceeds from Warren County occupancy tax are used to support tourism promotion in Warren County.
Information about the Occupancy Tax registration process, including forms to register, can be found here.
Those with questions can call the Treasurer’s Office at 518-761-6388.
###