Alabama stops collecting most state lodging tax through Airbnb

What changed

Airbnb has stopped collecting and remitting the Alabama state lodging tax for most hosts. Airbnb continues to collect local lodging tax in a limited set of Alabama jurisdictions (reported as 9), but the 4% state rate (5% in the 16 Mountain Lakes Area counties) is no longer handled automatically.

Who's affected

Any Alabama host whose state lodging tax was previously remitted by Airbnb. If your payout summaries showed state lodging tax being collected, that line is going away and the obligation shifts to you.

What to do

• Check your recent Airbnb payout/tax summaries to confirm whether state lodging tax is still being collected on your bookings.

• Register for a lodging tax account through My Alabama Taxes (MAT) at https://myalabamataxes.alabama.gov/ (opens in a new tab) if you are not already registered.
• Set a monthly reminder: Alabama lodging tax returns are due by the 20th of the following month.
• Confirm your correct rate — 4% statewide, or 5% if your property is in one of the 16 Mountain Lakes Area counties.
• Set aside the tax from each booking so you are not short at filing time, and keep records of gross receipts and exempt (180+ day) stays.
• Verify separately whether your city or county lodging tax is among those Airbnb still collects.

This change is confirmed against the Alabama Department of Revenue. Rates and the local-collection list should still be owner-verified before launch.