tourism tax

[Gilligan]

Can someone explain to me how the tourism tax works, and what the tax rate is. While standing in line one day, an older gentleman was telling me that it is cheaper to stay on the lake than in Branson because the tax rate is much higher. Is this true? Does the same go for restaurants and places around the Branson Landing?

[BransonMoTiger]

Originally Posted by Gilligan

Can someone explain to me how the tourism tax works, and what the tax rate is. While standing in line one day, an older gentleman was telling me that it is cheaper to stay on the lake than in Branson because the tax rate is much higher. Is this true? Does the same go for restaurants and places around the Branson Landing?

http://www.cityofbranson.org/ecodev/...X%20CHARTS.pdf

Generally, the hotel and theatre tickets are assessed a tourism tax of 4% and the restaurants tickets are assessed a tourism tax of .5%. There are no tourism taxes assessed on retail. In addition, certain areas such as BL and BH also assess a .5% to a 1.0 % tax for community improvement or transportation improvement on food and/or retail. In general, the different districts (including a community enhancement district) result in a patchwork of different tax rates. The above chart only gives the city information. If you are on the lake, then it can also depend on whether you are in Stone or Taney County as to the rates.

The tourism taxes are dedicated for 75% of the revenue to infrastructure (usually sewer) costs and 25% to marketing the area.

[Gilligan]

Thanks very much for the info on the tourism tax - much appreciated!

[BransonPackRat]

Sales tax rates are really pretty complicated and depend on what part of town you are in and what you are buying. I'm pretty sure that the last tourism tax that passed did include a tax on most retail sales at a rate of 1% with a few exceptions which included automobiles and other big ticket items that only locals would be likely to buy, and unlike an earlier tax that did include funding for roads and sewer, I think the newest tax all goes towards marketing. As BMT said the rate on hotels is higher. There is also a different rate applied to restaurants, but if you buy food at the grocery store there is no state tax so the rate is much lower. And as BMT said the various CID taxes can add an additional tax on top of the other taxes when you are shopping in those areas.

[lovemycondo]

In Branson you must add the tourism tax & all district related taxes to the 7.6% state & city tax (except as stated less on some things like groceries). I assumed you knew that but just wanted to make sure someone reading this would not need additional clarification. Most of the lodging in Branson will require 11.6% total tax unless it is located in one of the district with the additional tax. I would not base where you stay on the tax cost. Time is of the essence when on vacation. Stay where you will have easy access to the attractions you will be attending. The tri-lakes area is huge and all on winding roads. The ole saying ‘Location, location, location’ is still important, even if it is for short term lodging.

Saying the tax rate is complicated is an understatement. When I tried to get my tax rate for my condo it took several phone calls before the Dept of Revenue finally got the tax rate correct. If anyone has a concern/question, call the Dept of Revenue office in Springfield. I found the Jefferson City offices can not figure the Branson rate correctly.