With one month still left to add to the tally, Marion County has already generated over $6.4 million in Tourism Development Tax over the past fiscal year (i.e., October 2024 to September 2025), surpassing last year’s total by nearly $1 million.
The newest report for the Tourism Development Tax (TDT) will be presented to the Marion County Tourist Development Council during its next regular meeting on Thursday, September 25.
According to the report, through August, the county has collected approximately $6,439,478.32 in TDT revenue. That represents an increase of approximately $958,292.26 over last year’s total figure ($5,481,186.32).
Over the past several months, the Marion County Tax Collector’s Office has been switching payment platforms, resulting in a reporting lag that “continues to be rectified,” according to the report.
If accurate, however, two of the months (May, July) that show tax revenue totals of over $900,000 would set new records for the mark. The report shows that in May, the county generated $955,276.16 and in July, it generated $923,559.18 from the tax.
In April, Ocala-News.com reported that the county was continuing its upward trend, posting its highest revenue total for the last eight years. The revenue tax data collected between 2005 and 2017 is not publicly listed and must be obtained through a public records request.
In February, the county reported a similar upward trend in its TDT.
Approved in 2004, the TDT is a 4% charge on the revenue from rentals of six months or less in Marion County. The tax applies to all short-term rentals of living quarters, as well as renting accommodations in any hotel, motel, and other, similar structures.
According to county records, TDT is collected by the person receiving payment for the lease or rental (i.e., landlord). It is collected from lessees, tenants, or customers at the time of payment and should be remitted to the Marion County Tax Collector.
The Marion County Tourist Development Council next meets on Thursday, September 25, at 8 a.m. in the Tourism Development Conference Room at the Ocala/Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau, (109 W Silver Springs Blvd).