Accommodation Excise Tax(

Michigan Law

The State of Michigan Public Act 263 of 1974 permits "counties to impose and collect an excise tax on persons engaged in the business of providing rooms for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes to transient guests; to provide for the disposition of the revenues thereof; and to prescribe penalties."

View the Excise Tax on Business of Providing Accommodations on the Michigan Legislature website.

Recent Legislation

Recent legislation amended Section 4 (MCL 141.864) of Public Act 263 of 1974 with immediate effect September 23, 2014.

View the Senate Bill 0758 on the Michigan Legislature website.

Deposit & Use of Revenues

The revenues derived from the taxes imposed pursuant to this act shall among other things, pay the cost of administration and enforcement of the Ordinance, but is primarily used for the promotion and encouragement of tourist and convention business in the County.

Washtenaw County contracts with the newly merged Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau effective January 1, 2016. The first quarterly presentation to the Washtenaw County Economic Development Coordinating Committe (EDCC) can be found at on our website.

Washtenaw County Accommodation Excise Tax Ordinance

The Washtenaw County Accommodation Excise Tax Ordinance was adopted by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and became effective September 1, 1975 (Original Ordinance (PDF)). The purpose of this Ordinance is to raise money to promote and encourage tourist and convention business in the County of Washtenaw and to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, enlargement, and repair or maintain convention and entertainment facilities.

First Amendment

The First Amendment to the Ordinance increased the excise tax on all persons operating a business to provide rooms for dwelling to transient guests from 2% to 5% and made other minor changes and became effective March 1, 2009 (Resolution Number 08-0244 (PDF)).

Second Amendment

The Second Amendment to the Ordinance exempted bed and breakfasts with 14 or fewer rooms for rent, cottages and individuals who periodically lease rooms in their homes from the duty to pay the excise tax under the Ordinance and became effective October 1, 2012 (Resolution Number 12-0116 (PDF)).

Third Amendment

The Third Amendment to the Ordinance, primarily, clarified the excise tax shall only be assessed for the price of the room and the County Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible to administer and enforce the Ordinance and became effective December 17, 2012 (Resolution Number 12-0153 (PDF)).

Fourth Amendment

The Fourth Amendment to the Ordinance in Section 12 eliminated the Accommodation Ordinance Commission effective December 31, 2015 and transferred its responsibilities to the newly created Economic Development Coordinating Committee (Resolution Number 15-0168 (PDF)).

Resolution Number 15-0168 authorized the County Administrator to execute a ten-year contract (PDF) with the Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau (formerly known as the Ann Arbor Area convention and Visitors Bureau).

Fifth Amendment

The Fifth Amendment to the Ordinance in Section 12 sunsets the Economic Development Coordination Committee effective June 1, 2022 and transferred oversight and governance to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. (Resolution Number 22-043 (PDF)).

Management Agreement

A Management Agreement (PDF) with the County of Washtenaw and the Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., a Michigan non-profit corporation (corporate identifier 785-104) located at 315 W Huron, Suite 340, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 includes 16 Articles.

More Information

For information regarding the Washtenaw County Accommodation Tax Ordinance, please contact :Coral Van Ells.

If you are a provider of accommodations within Washtenaw County and need a form to report your monthly room revenue, fully complete and send along with your remittance as indicated on this payment coupon (PDF).