Money & Taxes · Catskills
Sullivan Room Tax Needs the Certificate on the Wall
Sullivan County lodging operators need the room-tax certificate visible, the 5 percent tax separate, and the quarterly return sent even with no payment due.
Published July 6, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
A bungalow, motel room, cabin, or short-term rental in Sullivan County has two room-tax jobs that are easy to mix together. The visible one is the Certificate of Authority. If the operator is required to collect room tax, the certificate comes through the Sullivan County Treasurer and needs to be displayed where occupants can clearly see it.
The money side is separate from the rent. Sullivan’s occupancy tax rate is 5 percent, and the tax should be stated and charged separately on the bill or record. The certificate also does not travel with a sale or change of ownership. A new operator should treat the room-tax account as part of the handoff, the same way keys, deposits, and utility accounts get sorted.
The quiet recurring task is the return. Room Tax Returns are filed every quarter whether tax is owed or not. The Treasurer lists the Room Tax Division mailing address in Monticello for returns and remittance.
For a local host, the simple setup is a certificate photo, booking ledger, tax line, quarter dates, and Treasurer contact in the same place. That keeps the lodging record clear when the season gets busy.