Show All Answers

1. What other political subdivisions in Ashtabula County have a bed tax?

As of May 2014, they are: City of Geneva 3 percent tax 466-3316 City of Conneaut 3 percent tax 593-7416 Geneva on the Lake 3 percent tax 466-8197 Austinburg Township 3 percent tax 275-1378 Harpersfield Township 3 percent tax 466-2242 Saybrook Township 3 percent tax 969-1106 Ashtabula County does not collect the tax for these subdivisions. You will need to contact the appropriate office and set up your account with them.

2. I take deposits. When do I report them?

Generally, it is best to report your deposits as part of your bookings for the month in which it is collected. Thus, you would collect lodging tax on the deposit. If your guest does not follow through on the reservation, you can back out the deposit and tax when you issue it. This is the system used by the State of Ohio for its cabins. We recognize this system can be burdensome for small operators and especially those who take reservations in January and February but don't actually open until June, thus requiring forms be filed in months they are not operating. Whatever approach you use, be consistent.

3. I am a small operator, do I still have to collect and report?

Even if you have just one room that you rent occasionally, or if you operate only during the summer months, the Lodging Tax applies to your operation and must be paid by your guests. To reduce the reporting burden, after your first year of operation, year-around operators whose quarterly tax payment is less than $100 a month ($2,000 per month in rents), can apply for quarterly payments and reporting. However, quarterly reporting is not available to seasonal operators.

4. What is the county's lodging tax?

Two excise taxes, totaling 5 percent, are to be collected from transient guests at most lodging facilities in Ashtabula County. It is the responsibility of the lodging facility to collect and remit the tax according to the rules and regulations.

5. What am I required to do in order to collect the tax?

By resolution of the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners, all establishments that provide transient lodging must register with the Lodging Tax Administrator at least 30 days prior to commencing operations. The county issues a certificate of registration to the establishment. The lodging provider agrees to surrender the certificate to the county if it is no longer in business or if the property is converted to a long-term (more than 29 days) lodging.

6. What are the reporting requirements?

The county provides forms for reporting the total rents and tax due on a monthly basis. If your tax liability is less than $100 a month, the filings may be made quarterly. All seasonal operations must report and remit monthly, however.
The report and payment is due by the last day of the month following the reporting month (example, June's taxes are due by July 31). If the tax due is not reported/paid by the due date, a 10 percent penalty is assessed.

7. How can I get reporting forms?

Forms are online in our document center as pdf files ready to download.
We also send forms by email to those who have signed up for the quarterly email list. Call 576-3748 or send email to jjarcaro@ashtabulacounty.us to subscribe.