This bill amends the Code of West Virginia regarding the hotel occupancy tax, specifically focusing on the responsibilities of hotel operators and marketplace facilitators in the collection and remittance of this tax. It clarifies that marketplace facilitators must maintain detailed records of transactions, including the name and address of the lodging provider, the dates of occupancy, and the amount of tax collected. Additionally, the bill mandates the use of geofencing technology to ensure accurate tax collection and requires marketplace facilitators to utilize a nine-digit postal code to ensure that taxes are remitted to the correct political subdivision.

The bill also emphasizes that all taxes collected are to be held in trust by the marketplace facilitator until they are remitted to the taxing authority. It prohibits any hotel, hotel operator, or marketplace facilitator from suggesting that they will absorb the tax or that it is not included in the price charged to consumers. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accuracy in the collection of hotel occupancy taxes, ensuring that local governments receive the appropriate revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-18-4