NEW TAX ON RENTALS PROPOSED IN PV
- William Hutt
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
Puerto Vallarta Plans New Tax on Airbnb & Hosting Platforms
Puerto Vallarta’s municipal government has announced plans to introduce a new local tax specifically targeting online lodging platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. This initiative is designed to align short-term rentals more closely with traditional hotels when it comes to municipal contributions.
What the New Tax Is
The city wants to apply a municipal license tax/fee to hosting platforms.
Currently, hotels, condo-hotels, and boutique hotels already pay business license fees and municipal taxes.
Many hosting platforms — and the property owners who list there — don’t contribute at the same level, creating uneven competition in the local market.
When It’s Happening
The proposal will go before the city council on August 27, 2025.
If approved, the tax will be included in Puerto Vallarta’s 2026 income law — the new budget and revenue plan.
Why It Matters
Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía González has framed this as a fairness issue, ensuring that digital platforms compete on equal footing with traditional accommodations.
This could mean:
Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are billed directly.
Costs being passed down to hosts (through higher service fees) or to guests (as a new tax line on invoices).
Possible new licensing requirements for hosts to stay compliant.
The Bigger Picture
This marks Puerto Vallarta’s first budget under the new mayor’s administration (the previous one was inherited from MORENA).
Other Mexican tourist cities have already taken similar steps — applying hotel-style taxes to Airbnb and similar rentals to capture more tourism revenue.
In short: starting in 2026, Airbnb-style rentals in Puerto Vallarta will be taxed in the same way as hotels.
What It Means for Property Owners
1. New Costs for Owners
Airbnb/Vrbo will likely pass the new tax down.
Expect either:
Higher service fees for hosts, or
A new municipal tax line on guest invoices.
2. Licensing & Compliance
Since this is framed as a “municipal license” issue, owners may be required to:
Register with the city.
Pay an annual business license fee to operate legally.
Renting without compliance could lead to fines or restrictions.
3. Leveling Competition
Hotels, condo-hotels, and boutique hotels already pay municipal fees.
The city wants short-term rentals to contribute equally to the local economy.
4. Impact on Bottom Line
Owners may see a slight dip in revenue if they absorb the new cost.
Many will likely raise nightly rates to offset the expense.
Compliance will almost certainly be mandatory, not optional.
5. Timeline
August 27, 2025: Council votes.
2026: If approved, the tax becomes law and goes into effect.
Final Takeaway
If you’re renting out a property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar platforms in Puerto Vallarta, plan for additional costs and possible licensing requirements starting in 2026.
At minimum, expect another line item on payouts or invoices. In the stricter scenario, you’ll need to secure a municipal business license — bringing you into line with hotels and formal accommodations.
Will Hutt
The PV Insider
Coldwell Banker La Costa
@BeachPleasePVR on Instagram
Lifestyle and Real Estate Channel -
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