In Osceola County, short-term rentals carry 13.5% in taxes, applied to the rent plus any mandatory fees like cleaning. Here's how that works in plain English.
You find a rental. The nightly rate looks great. Then you hit checkout and the total jumps.
That jump is usually three things: taxes, a cleaning fee, and platform fees. None of them are a scam. But nobody likes surprises.
Short answer: in Osceola County, short-term rentals carry 13.5% in taxes, applied to the rent plus any mandatory fees like cleaning. Here's how that works in plain English.
The tax: 13.5%
Short-term rentals in Osceola County (that's Kissimmee, Celebration, and ChampionsGate) carry three taxes. One catch: ChampionsGate addresses say "Davenport," and the 33896 ZIP crosses into Polk County, where the rate is lower. SuperVilla is on the Osceola side, so 13.5% is what you'll pay.
| Tax | Rate | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Florida state sales tax | 6% | State |
| Osceola County surtax | 1.5% | County, via the state |
| Tourist development tax | 6% | Osceola County |
| Total | 13.5% |
These rates come from the Florida Department of Revenue and the Osceola County Tax Collector. The county's 6% tourist tax has been in place since 2004.
It applies to stays under six months, which covers basically every vacation rental. Hotels, too. You'd pay the same tax at a Kissimmee hotel.
What gets taxed
The tax applies to the rental charge. The Osceola Tax Collector says that means any fee you must pay to stay. Cleaning fees, resort fees, even crib or pool-heat charges count when they're mandatory.
So the formula is roughly:
(Nightly rate × nights + cleaning fee) × 1.135
A security deposit isn't rent, so it isn't taxed as rent. (A deposit that gets forfeited and kept as rent is a different story.)
A worked example
Let's use a made-up rate of $500 a night for 7 nights. This is just an example, not a quote. SuperVilla's real rates run $280 to $1,109 a night depending on dates.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| 7 nights × $500 | $3,500 |
| Cleaning fee | (varies) |
| 13.5% tax on $3,500 | $472.50 |
| Subtotal before cleaning | $3,972.50 |
Split 16 ways, that's about $248 per person for the week, before cleaning and add-ons. Price out four or five hotel rooms for the same week and compare.
The fees, one by one
Cleaning fee
Almost every vacation rental has one. An 8-bedroom house with 16 beds takes a real crew. At SuperVilla, the cleaning fee and tax are built into the total you see when you book. No surprise at the end.
Platform service fees
If you book through a big listing site, they usually add a guest service fee on top. It varies by platform and booking. Booking direct skips that layer.
Security deposit
SuperVilla's is $500, collected 2 days before arrival. It's a security deposit, not part of the rent. Your rental agreement spells out how it's handled after checkout.
Optional add-ons
These are your choice. Nobody pays them unless they want them. If you add one, it shows up as its own line in your quote. Tax may apply depending on how the fee is classified; your quote shows the total:
- Pool and spa heat: $35 a day
- Spa-only heat: $25 a night
- BBQ grill: $50 a stay
From October to March, heating the pool is recommended. Allison wrote, "We loved the option to heat the pool as we had chilly weather but could still use it." In July, you don't need it.
Resort or HOA fees
Some resorts charge guests separately for clubhouse access. Ask before you book anywhere. At SuperVilla, access to the Retreat Club and the Oasis Clubhouse is included free. See the resort page for details.
How to compare two rentals fairly
The nightly rate is the least useful number. Compare the final total.
- Pick the exact same dates on both.
- Go to the last screen before payment.
- Write down the total with tax and fees.
- Divide by the number of people.
- Then compare what you get: bedrooms, beds, pool heat cost, gear, theater, resort access.
A cheaper house that charges extra for everything isn't cheaper.
Who actually collects the tax?
You don't file anything. It's collected in your total, and sending it on to the state and county is the host's job, not yours.
The short version
- Tax in Osceola County is 13.5%.
- It covers rent and required fees like cleaning.
- The security deposit isn't taxed as rent.
- Pool heat and the BBQ are optional, and they show up as their own line items.
- Compare totals, not nightly rates.
Want to see your real total?
SuperVilla's booking page shows the full price, with cleaning and tax included, before you pay. Check your dates.
Questions people ask
What is the vacation rental tax in Kissimmee?
Osceola County short-term rentals carry 13.5% total: 6% Florida sales tax, a 1.5% county surtax, and a 6% tourist development tax.
Is the cleaning fee taxed on Florida vacation rentals?
Yes. Florida and Osceola County tax mandatory fees that are a condition of the stay, including a required cleaning fee.
Is the security deposit taxed?
A security deposit isn't rent, so it isn't taxed as rent. SuperVilla's deposit is $500, collected 2 days before arrival.
Do I have to pay the tourist tax myself?
No. It's collected in your booking total, and the host sends it to the state and county.
Are SuperVilla's pool heat and BBQ fees required?
No. Pool and spa heat ($35 a day), spa-only heat ($25 a night), and the BBQ ($50 a stay) are optional add-ons. If you add one, it shows up as its own line in your quote.