Albany County, NY, Approves Short-Term Occupancy Tax for Rentals

5/18/2026

Albany County, New York, approved a new law applying its existing 6.5% hotel occupancy tax to short-term rentals (STRs) listed on platforms starting in 2026. County officials say the measure will create a fairer system for hotels and STRs while generating nearly $1 million annually to support tourism, economic development, and venues such as the MVP Arena and Albany Capital Center. The law also creates a registration and reporting system requiring operators to register units, obtain identification numbers, and file tax returns. Supporters said the rules improve oversight and ensure rentals contribute to public services, while critics argued the policy unfairly burdens small homeowners renting spare rooms by treating them the same as large commercial operators. County leaders said further guidance for hosts and rental platforms will be released before implementation.

CBS 6 Albany (05/12/26) Felix Day