The Colony, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Short-Term Rental?
A Short-Term Rental, also known as a vacation rental, is the rental of a legally-licensed dwelling unit for periods of less than 30 consecutive days per occurrence. A Short-Term Rental Registration is required prior to advertising and renting your property.
Who needs to apply for a Short-Term Rental License?
Any owner renting a property for a period of 30 consecutive days or less is required to apply for a Short-Term Rental Registration. It is the owner(s)’ responsibility to know and comply with all ordinances, resolutions and regulations that apply to short term rentals within the city of The Colony.
What if I do not obtain a Short-Term Rental License?
Renting or advertising your home for rent on a short-term basis without a license is in violation of the City of The Colony’s ordinances and subject to enforcement processes as provided for in Ch. 8 Article III. of The Colony’s code of ordinances.
What is the Hotel Occupancy Tax?
This is a 7% tax on your gross short-term rents not already remitted by an intermediary. Hotels, motels, and all Short-Term Rental properties are required to pay this tax. Gross short-term rent includes all consideration received for occupancy including all non-optional fees (other than taxes) such as booking/reservation fees; cleaning fees; pet charges; fees for extra vehicles, people or beds; etc.; and any amounts received from Lodging intermediaries.
Why am I now required to collect and remit the city’s portion of Hotel Occupancy Tax?
In August of 2022, The Colony City Council adopted an ordinance requiring all short-term rental operators within the city limits to begin collecting and remitting the city’s hotel occupancy tax rate of 7%.
When is the Hotel Occupancy Tax due?
Tax payments are due quarterly no later than the last day of the month following the end of the prior month. See the list of due dates per quarter below. If there was no rental activity for the entire quarter, you are still required to submit the completed Hotel Occupancy Tax form.
Key Dates:
September 15, 2022 STR License registration begins
October 1, 2022 Hotel/STR Tax Collection goes into effect
January 1, 2023 January 1, 2023 Hotel/STR Tax forms for Q4 will be available to pay in GovOS, with the forms being due no later than January 31, 2023.
Quarterly Due Dates: January 31st, April 30th, July 31st, October 31st
How is penalty and interest calculated on late payments?
PENALTIES: When a tax form is late, penalty is charged day 1-60 after the tax is due. 10% of tax due is charged on the 61st day after tax is due. Penalty shall not be less than $1.00.
INTEREST: When a tax form is late, beginning on the 61st day after the tax due date, delinquent taxes shall draw interest at a rate of 10% per annum
Note: Interest will not begin calculating until after the tax form is 15 days late. Penalty will be assessed when the form is one day late.
What is the cost of an STR Registration?
There is currently not a fee associated with the Short-Term Rental registration.
Does my short-term rental license apply to multiple properties?
No. You are only allowed to short-term rent one dwelling unit per license in the City of The Colony. Each STR requires its own license.
Do I have to display my license?
Yes. The STR Registration Number must be posted in every online advertisement for the STR as well as in a conspicuous place within the short-term rental unit at all times. Your STR Registration PDF can be found in the Business Center by clicking your account name under "Manage Your Account(s)".
Is the City working with Airbnb?
No. Airbnb does not collect or remit Hotel & Motel Occupancy Tax to the City of The Colony on behalf of property owners and/or authorized agents.
Is the City working with Vrbo?
No. Vrbo does not collect or remit Hotel & Motel Occupancy Tax to the City of The Colony on behalf of property owners and/or authorized agents.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. We accept all major credit cards except for American Express. The City does not charge a transaction fee for STR payments submitted by credit card transaction.
Can I pay by e-check?
Yes. You can select e-check during checkout. In doing so, you authorize your bank to send the payment electronically to the City of The Colony. The City does not charge a fee for ACH transactions.
I need to close my account. What do I do?
Please email ShortTermRentals@thecolonytx.gov. Please include the closure date and the reason you are closing the account.
How do I amend a return?
Please send an email to ShortTermRentals@thecolonytx.gov to let us know you need to file an amended return. You will need the following information prepared:
1) Your six digit registration/account number, and owner name
2) Period you need to amend (i.e. Q2 2022 form due April 30th)
3) If you overpaid or underpaid your original form
4) Brief explanation as to why the form needs to be amended
Once we receive this email we will review your account and send you further instructions.
What types of assistance can GovOS provide to me?
GovOS can assist you with all your system and account questions. Whether you have a question about your account or technical questions about how to do something in GovOS, please reach out to our support team. We can always reach out to the City on your behalf if we need their assistance with one of your questions. You can reach GovOS at blt.str.support@govos.com and by phone at (888) 751-1911.
Where are my tax forms? My Action Center is empty.
Your tax forms will be available on the 1st day of the month following the last day of the tax period. For example, the Quarter 1 (January-March) tax forms will be available in your Action Center on April 1st. If you do not see the forms you expected, simply contact GovOS support for assistance.
Can I manage multiple properties with one login?
Yes - to do so, click Add accounts from your user login under Manage Your Account(s). You will need your 6 digit Account Number and the GovOS Activation Code to connect to an existing property record.
Can a property have more than one user?
Yes, each property can have an unlimited number of users. Each user is required to provide the 6 digit Account Number and the Activation Code to be authorized to connect to an existing property record.
I did not receive, or I misplaced the letter with my activation code. What do I do?
Contact GovOS blt.str.support@govos.com or by phone at (888) 751-1911 for assistance. You will need to confirm account details to be verified for the account. To protect the security on property accounts, you will need written (e-mail) permission from a registered owner or officer of the property for us to provide you with a new activation code.
Can I file a Zero File tax return through GovOS?
To file a zero file tax form, select your tax form from your Action Center. Then, complete the required information on the remittance, including Gross Rents and any deductions. You will be prompted to confirm your desire to complete the return as a Zero File return.
What payment types are accepted by the City through GovOS?
The City accepts ACH Debit, or e-check as well as the following major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard and Discover.
Can I schedule a payment in GovOS?
For your security, GovOS does not store any payment information in the system. You will need to enter your desired payment information each time you check out.
How do I change the User on a Property?
All users need to register, just as you did, by going to the home page for that jurisdiction (i.e. https://thecolony.munirevs.com). They will click on the "Go" button under "New Users". They will also need the 6 digit account number and Activation Code for the property.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
From the Log In page, click the “Forgot your password” link and follow the instructions that will be e-mailed to the User’s registered e-mail address.
Do I have to login to GovOS to see my alerts and reminders?
No. All alerts are e-mailed to your authenticated e-mail address. When you login to the system, you will also see any open alerts that need to be addressed in your Action Center.
For Assistance, Contact GovOS Support
blt.str.support@govos.com
(888) 751-1911
When contacting support, be sure to include the jurisdiction (The Colony)and your account number in all emails or voicemails. This will help us assist you as promptly as possible. Thanks!
