Atlanta and other cities in the U.S. are fighting for a greater share of hotel taxes paid as a result of bookings through online sites.
"Online travel companies are under legal assault throughout Georgia - and across the nation - as cities seek to recoup tax money they claim is rightfully theirs. The hotel and occupancy tax for Atlanta hotel and motel rooms, for example, is 7 percent. The tax, like others nationwide, was enacted into law as a way to generate money that could be used to promote tourism."
"According to court filings, the online companies contract with hotels and motels for a number of rooms at negotiated 'wholesale' rates. The online companies determine a markup and set the 'retail' rate the consumer will pay. The online companies accept credit-card payments for the room rate, plus taxes and services fees. They return the 'wholesale' rate, plus the estimated tax on that rate, to the hotel.
No hotel and occupancy tax is being paid on the difference between the wholesale rate and the retail rate, Bill Norwood, a lawyer for the city, said Monday.
But Kendrick Smith, a lawyer for the online companies, said that because the Internet-based firms do not buy or rent hotel rooms, they are not subject to the tax."
FULL STORY: Atlanta among U.S. cities suing online travel companies
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Podcast: Addressing the Root Causes of Transit Violence
Deploying transit police is a short-term fix. How can transit agencies build sustainable safety efforts?
Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.