Manatee’s Bed Tax Hits Record High for May

By Lisa Neff

May’s bed tax revenue reached a record in 2025, with the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office reporting $2,520,129 for the month, a 16.09% increase from May 2024.

The bed tax or tourist development tax is a 6% levy on accommodation rentals of six months or less. While the revenue numbers from the tax collector help create a read on tourism in Manatee, revenue increases this year also reflect a 1% boost in the tax that took effect Jan. 1 following a voter-approved referendum in November 2024.

Looking at a history of Mays, the tax revenue has steadily climbed except for May 2020, when it plummeted to $558,014 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The monthly totals include:

• May 2021, $1,981,649;

• May 2022, $1,990,641;

• May 2023, $1,997,077;

• May 2024, $2,170,776;

• May 2025, $2,520,129.

May is not the highest grossing month of the 2024-25 fiscal year. The top months, to date, were in the winter-spring break season, with March bringing in $5.4 million, February generating $3.6 million and April producing $3.3 million.

Overall, for October-May 2024-25, the tax has generated $21,880,570 for tourism projects and programs compared to $21,743,110 for the same period in fiscal 2023-24.

The 2024-25 revenues aren’t higher because hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall damaged many accommodations and disrupted travel. October revenue was down 8.98%. November was down 17.71% and December was down 16.6%. Even January, with the increase in the rate, was down 4.47%.

The tax collector’s office, which reports June numbers in early August, also compiles a summary of bed tax revenues by municipality.

Accommodations in unincorporated Manatee County tend to produce the highest dollars and they did so in May. The $917,906 collected represents 36.42% of the total.

Some other numbers:

• Anna Maria collection, $406,297, 16.12%;

• Bradenton, $234,349, 9.3%;

• Bradenton Beach, $93,365, 3.7%;

• Holmes Beach, $620,642, 24.62%;

• Longboat Key, $201,416, 7.99%;

• Palmetto, $46,344, 1.84%.

While Palmetto’s share is the lowest, the collection is much higher than in May 2024 due to the highly anticipated opening of the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa. In May 2024, Palmetto’s collection was just $5,127.

Meanwhile, Bradenton Beach’s share and collection total is lower than in May 2024, largely due to the continued impact of the 2024 hurricanes.

The tax revenues aren’t returned directly to the communities where they were generated but instead are allocated by county commissioners advised by the tourist development council. Also, the tax collector takes a 3% administrative fee.

The county’s total tax on accommodations is 13%, including a 7% sales tax.