Booking platforms deposit a figure that has already had commission, cleaning splits, and sometimes lodging tax taken out of it — so the number in your bank is not your revenue, and there is no single report that says what is. Meanwhile lodging tax is levied by states, counties, and cities in combinations that differ street to street, and whether the platform remitted it for you or handed it to you to remit is the question that decides whether you owe money you have already spent.
Gross, then the fees
Bookings recorded at gross with platform commission as its own cost.
Tax you hold, not earn
Occupancy tax tracked as a liability per jurisdiction.
Per-property P&L
Each listing on its own numbers, so the weak one cannot hide.
Setup costs handled
Furnishing and improvement capitalised rather than expensed wholesale.
What we handle
- Recording bookings gross, with platform commission and cleaning costs as their own expenses
- Separating what the platform remitted from what you are responsible for remitting
- Lodging and occupancy tax tracked as a liability, per jurisdiction, not as income
- Per-property profit and loss so you can compare listings honestly
- Owner draws, mortgage, and capital improvements kept distinct from operating cost
Common problems we fix
- Net payouts booked as revenue, so both income and platform fees are understated
- Occupancy tax collected on direct bookings and never remitted to anyone
- One blended number across several properties, hiding the one that loses money
- Furnishing and setup costs expensed when they should have been capitalised
Why your state matters here
Bookkeeping for short-term rentals and hosts is not the same in every state. Sales tax rates and what is taxable, registration and licensing, payroll rules, and filing cadence all vary — and for this industry those differences change real work, not just a number on a form. Pick your state below for specifics.
We keep the books. You run the business.
Categorization, reconciliation, month-end close, and clean financial statements — with nothing left for you to chase.
View pricingHow It Works
Free review
We look at how your short-term rentals and hosts books are set up today.
Fix the structure
Chart of accounts rebuilt around how your industry actually earns and spends.
Catch up
Anything behind gets cleaned up at a fixed quoted price.
Close monthly
Current, reconciled books every month — ready for your CPA.
Short-Term Rentals & Hosts Bookkeeping by State
Sales tax nexus and taxability, licensing, payroll rules, and filing cadence differ by state. Pick yours for a state-specific guide.
Short-Term Rentals & Hosts — Frequently Asked Questions
Do you understand short-term rentals and hosts specifically?
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Do you work in my existing accounting file?
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Can you help if I am months behind?
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Bookkeeping built for short-term rentals and hosts
Book a free consultation and we will tell you what your books need — and what it costs.
- Done-for-you
- Solo or group
- Nationwide
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