Anyone Have An STR In Georgia With A Direct Booking Website?

Question

We have an STR in Northeast GA that is currently listed on AirBnB and VRBO. I'm using Guesty for Hosts and I'm playing around with the website builder and I'm strongly considering also offering a direct booking option. I know that AirBnB and VRBO collect and remit the taxes for me on those platforms, but that burden would obviously shift to me for the direct bookings. It is my understanding that I have to collect and remit the following:

7% Georgia Sales Tax

8% Occupancy Tax (This is what the county that we operate in requires. I realize that this number can be different depending on the county)

$5 Per Night Georgia Innkeeper Fee

Is there anything I'm missing or overlooking?

7% Georgia Sales Tax

8% Occupancy Tax (This is what the county that we operate in requires. I realize that this number can be different depending on the county)

$5 Per Night Georgia Innkeeper Fee

Is there anything I'm missing or overlooking?

Ambi Joy · Answer

how about hiring a developer to get your own booking platform ?

Alexandra Rolon · Answer

Direct booking is great, just make sure you manage all the calendars otherwise you might find yourself in a pickle. To find the taxes and fees, try to make a reseevation in your area, then under price detail select more info. Here is an example of charges in midtown

Bonnie Low · Answer

I think you're smart to consider direct bookings. Given all the changes in Airbnb's platform, many hosts are finding themselves in terrible situations when they're relying solely on OTAs. Before you do anything, I'd recommend you read Mark Simpson's book The Book Direct Playbook. It has everything you need and more to successfully switch to or add direct booking to you management options.