STR Taxes 101 (US): Income, Expenses, and Depreciation

Once the broader landscape is clear, this second session focuses on the practical mechanics of STR taxes. We’ll take a closer look at how income and expenses are typically treated for US-based short-term rental hosts, how reporting works in practice, and what hosts should be tracking throughout the year to stay organized and prepared.

We’ll cover:

• What is generally considered STR income, including accommodations, fees, pay-through taxes, and more
• How gross income is reported when booking through OTAs, versus net payouts after platform fees
• Common expense categories and timing considerations, including reimbursements and future reservations
• Accounting methods at a high level, including cash versus accrual (and how taxes are typically handled)
• Practical approaches to tracking income and expenses during the year
• How tax considerations can differ for owners, arbitrage operators, and property managers

We’ll also set the stage for the final session, where we’ll look more closely at how reporting and compliance are handled in practice, including how Hospitable fits into different hosting setups.

Additional materials and follow-up resources will be shared with Hospitable customers in the Community.

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This session is part of Hospitable Unlocked: US Taxes & Compliance, a three-part series designed to help US-based short-term rental hosts develop a clearer, more confident understanding of taxes and compliance.

1. The STR Tax & Compliance Map (US) (February 10)
2. STR Taxes 101 (US): Income, Expenses, and Depreciation (February 24)
3. Staying Compliant All Year with Hospitable (March 10)