Las Vegas is known for its hotels, casinos, entertainment and luxurious accommodations. But with the Sin City excitement comes additional taxes and fees, especially on hotel rooms.
The hotel tax rate in Las Vegas, Nevada is 13.38% as of 2023. This includes:
- State room tax: 10.5%
- Las Vegas room tax: 1.88%
- Las Vegas tourism surcharge: 0.5%
- Las Vegas stadium tax: 0.88%
In addition to the 13.38% hotel tax, there may also be additional taxes and fees charged by individual hotels, including:
- Resort fees – These daily mandatory fees cover amenities like internet, gym access, etc. and are typically $20-50 per night.
- Parking fees – Many major hotels on the Las Vegas Strip charge for valet and/or self-parking, ranging from $5-$20 per day.
- Sales tax – The sales tax rate in Las Vegas is 8.25%. This applies to room rates as well as other purchases like food and shows.
So the base room rate is just one component of the total bill for a Las Vegas hotel. The 13.38% hotel tax along with other hotel fees can add a considerable amount on top of the room charges.
For example, the base rate for a room may be $100. With taxes and a $30 resort fee, the total is $114 (tax) + $30 = $144 per night. Knowing the full costs including tax and fees is important when budgeting for a Las Vegas hotel stay.
This guide breaks down all the taxes and surcharges that contribute to the inflated hotel costs travelers will encounter in Las Vegas.
Room Tax
When planning a trip to Las Vegas, it’s important to consider the various taxes that may be added to your hotel bill. One such tax is the room tax, which is imposed by both Clark County and the city of Las Vegas. Let’s take a closer look at how much you can expect to pay in room tax during your stay.
Clark County Tax
Clark County imposes a room tax on all hotels within its jurisdiction. Currently, the room tax rate in Clark County is 12%. This means that for every $100 you spend on your hotel room, you can expect to pay an additional $12 in room tax. The revenue generated from this tax goes towards funding various county services and initiatives.
City of Las Vegas Tax
In addition to the Clark County tax, the city of Las Vegas also imposes its own room tax. The current room tax rate in the city of Las Vegas is 13.38%. This means that for every $100 you spend on your hotel room, you can expect to pay an additional $13.38 in room tax. The revenue generated from this tax helps support the city’s infrastructure and tourism-related initiatives.
It’s important to note that the room tax rates mentioned above are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to check with the official websites of Clark County and the city of Las Vegas for the most up-to-date information regarding room tax rates.
For more information on the room tax in Las Vegas, you can visit the official websites of Clark County and the city of Las Vegas.
State Taxes
Nevada Sales Tax
When it comes to hotel taxes in Las Vegas, one of the primary components is the Nevada Sales Tax. Currently, the Nevada Sales Tax rate is 6.85%. This tax is applied to the total amount paid for the hotel stay, including room rates and any additional charges such as resort fees or parking fees. It’s important to note that this tax is not specific to hotels, but rather applies to a wide range of goods and services in the state.
Did you know? The Nevada Sales Tax is lower than the national average sales tax rate, which is around 7%. So, while you may be paying taxes, it’s not as high as it could be in other states.
Commerce Tax
In addition to the Nevada Sales Tax, another tax that hotels in Las Vegas are subject to is the Commerce Tax. The Commerce Tax is a tax on the gross revenue of certain businesses in Nevada, including hotels. However, it’s important to note that this tax is not directly passed on to the hotel guests. Instead, it is the responsibility of the hotel as a business to pay this tax based on their revenue.
Fun fact: The Commerce Tax was implemented in 2015 and is aimed at generating additional revenue for the state of Nevada. It is calculated based on a tiered system, with different tax rates depending on the business’s gross revenue.
For a more detailed breakdown of the state taxes in Nevada, you can visit the official website of the Nevada Department of Taxation. They provide comprehensive information on various taxes and regulations in the state.
Resort Fees
Definition
Resort fees, also known as destination fees or amenity fees, are additional charges that hotels in Las Vegas and other tourist destinations may add to your bill. These fees are meant to cover the cost of amenities and services provided by the hotel, such as access to the pool, gym, Wi-Fi, and other facilities. While the idea behind resort fees is to enhance the guest experience, they have become a topic of debate among travelers.
According to SmarterTravel, resort fees are typically not included in the initial room rate advertised by hotels. Instead, they are added to the final bill at the time of check-out. It’s important to note that resort fees are mandatory and cannot be waived, even if you do not use the amenities offered.
Cost Per Night
Resort fees at Las Vegas hotels are daily mandatory fees added on top of the base room rate. They typically cover amenities like internet access, fitness center access, local calls, printing, etc.
Here are typical resort fee costs per night at popular Las Vegas hotels and resorts:
- Caesars Palace – $45
- Bellagio – $45
- The Venetian – $45
- MGM Grand – $45
- The Cosmopolitan – $45
- Wynn/Encore – $45
- The Palazzo – $45
- Treasure Island – $39
- The Strat – $35
- Flamingo – $35
- Paris – $35
- Planet Hollywood – $35
- Bally’s – $35
- Harrah’s – $35
- The Linq – $35
- Luxor – $35
- Excalibur – $35
- Circus Circus – $24
As you can see, most major Strip hotels charge resort fees in the range of $35-$45 per night. However, a few budget hotels like Circus Circus have lower fees around $24-30.
Resort fees are charged per day and per room, so the total fee for a multi-night stay adds up quickly. They represent a significant extra cost on top of the room rate itself when booking a Las Vegas hotel.
Also Read: Can I Refuse To Pay Resort Fees?
Additional Surcharges
When planning a trip to Las Vegas, it’s important to consider the additional surcharges that may be added to your hotel bill. These surcharges are in addition to the regular room rate and can vary depending on the hotel and the services provided. Two common surcharges in Las Vegas are the tourism surcharge and the live entertainment tax.
Tourism Surcharge
The tourism surcharge is a fee that is imposed on hotel rooms in Las Vegas to help fund tourism initiatives and promote the city as a tourist destination. The amount of the surcharge can vary, but it is typically a percentage of the room rate. This surcharge is commonly added to hotel bills and is usually listed as a separate line item. The funds collected from this surcharge are used to support marketing campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and other initiatives aimed at attracting visitors to Las Vegas.
Live Entertainment Tax
In addition to the tourism surcharge, visitors to Las Vegas may also encounter a live entertainment tax. This tax is applied to tickets for live performances, including concerts, shows, and sporting events. The tax is typically a percentage of the ticket price and is collected by the hotel or venue where the event takes place. The revenue generated from this tax is used to support local arts and entertainment programs.
It’s important to note that these surcharges are not unique to Las Vegas and can be found in other tourist destinations as well. However, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specific surcharges that may be applicable to your stay in Las Vegas.
Estimating the Total Tax
When planning a trip to Las Vegas, it’s important to consider the various taxes that will be added to your hotel bill. One of the main taxes you’ll encounter is the hotel tax, which can significantly increase the total cost of your stay. To help you estimate the total tax you’ll be paying, here’s a breakdown of the hotel tax in Las Vegas.
Tax Brackets Based on Room Rate
Most hotels charge a flat tax rate on the room rate, but in some cases taxes can vary based on the nightly room charge or room category. Here are some examples of how hotel tax brackets may work:
- Rooms under $100 – May have a 10% tax rate applied.
- Rooms $101-$200 – Can have a 12% tax rate.
- Rooms over $200 – May have a higher 15% tax rate.
- Suite rooms – Regardless of base rate, suites may have a special 18% tax.
- Discount/Package rates – Special rates like AAA or senior discounts may have lower taxes like 8%.
- Weekday vs Weekend – Weekend room charges may have higher taxes than weekday rates.
- City tax – Large cities may add extra local hotel taxes depending on base room charges.
- Resort fees – These daily fees may also be taxed, sometimes at a lower rate than the room.
So in summary, while hotel taxes are usually a flat percentage, some properties use a bracket system applying higher rates as the room cost increases or based on room type and booking details. Check carefully for any variable tax rates when comparing hotel costs. The advertised base rate may not tell the full tax story.
Conclusion
Hotel stays in Las Vegas come with numerous taxes and fees that can really add up. While base nightly rates may seem reasonable, expect to pay over 30% extra with room taxes, resort fees, entertainment surcharges and more. Understanding the full breakdown of hotel taxes in Vegas allows travelers to better budget and plan their Sin City getaway.
