(Riverhead, NY) - Suffolk County Comptroller, John M. Kennedy Jr., has approved a groundbreaking voluntary collection agreement with Airbnb, a home rental company, on June 10, 2025. With this signing, Airbnb Inc. will be responsible for the remittance of all lodging taxes, which will lessen the burden on taxpayers and hasten the tax-return process. Hosts’ payouts will not change from the enactment of this law. Pursuant to Chapter 523, Article II of the Suffolk County Code, every facility providing short-term lodging (less than 30 days) for a fee in Suffolk County is required to collect a 5.5% occupancy tax of the per-diem rental rate charged for each room. This law applies to all lodging facilities including residences and tourist homes, not just traditional hotels and motels.

The Hotel and Motel Occupancy Tax, effective since September 9, 1992, has provided numerous benefits to Suffolk County and its residents. Funds collected from this initiative have contributed to promoting tourism, supporting cultural programs, maintaining county museums and historical sites, and supporting county parks and recreational areas. Taxation revenue also supports improvements to local infrastructure and local development projects, which benefit both visiting and permanent residents.

Comptroller Kennedy commented on the partnership, “The signing of this contract is great news for Suffolk County residents, for host operators, and for all those that come to stay in our county for recreation and business. Many critical initiatives are supported by the collection of the local lodging tax, including historic structures, cultural events, and the many landmarks that make Suffolk County a truly unique travel experience!”