Lodging Tax Reporting Forms Available

SHB 3206, which passed during the 2008 legislative session, made several changes to previous legislation requiring cities to complete reporting forms about lodging taxes. Cities that have a lodging tax must submit an annual economic impact report to the Department of Commerce for expenditures made beginning January 1, 2008. The first reports are due no later than May 1, 2010.

• Lodging Tax Cover Letter (pdf, 31 kb)
• Event or Facility Lodging Tax Report Form (pdf, 30 kb)
• Lodging Tax Official Report Form (Word, 52 kb)

The PowerPoint can be accessed here (pdf, 205 kb). 

The economic impact reports must include:

• The total revenue received;
• The list of festivals, special events, or nonprofit organizations that received funds;
• The list of festivals, special events, or tourism related facilities sponsored or owned by the local jurisdiction that received funds;
• The amount of revenue expended on each festival, special event, or tourism-related facility owned or sponsored by a nonprofit organization or local jurisdiction;
• The estimated number of tourists, persons traveling over 50 miles to the destination, persons remaining at the destination overnight, and lodging stays generated per festival, special event, or tourism-related facility owned or sponsored by the nonprofit organization or local jurisdiction; and 
• Any other measurement the local government would like to include.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee will report to the Legislature and Governor on the use and economic impact of the lodging tax revenues by September 1, 2012. The bill’s section, requiring the economic impact reports, expires June 30, 2013.

8/11/08