Managing lodging and sales taxes for vacation rentals can be complex. Each property may be subject to different state, county, or municipal tax requirements — and every booking platform handles these taxes differently.
To make this process simple and compliant, Blue Heron Property Management partners exclusively with Fairly, a trusted financial and compliance platform for the short-term rental industry.
Blue Heron & Fairly — Working Together
All financial transactions — including rental income, payouts, fees, and lodging or sales tax — are managed through Fairly. This ensures every payment, report, and filing is accurate, secure, and properly documented.
Blue Heron’s Role:
- Provide property information and ensure correct setup for your location.
- Coordinate with Fairly to ensure taxes are assigned and collected correctly for every booking.
- Maintain transparent communication with homeowners regarding any local registration requirements.
Fairly’s Role:
- Calculate, collect, and remit applicable lodging and sales taxes.
- Manage financial transactions, owner payouts, and accounting records.
- Provide homeowners with full financial visibility and downloadable reports through the Fairly platform.
Tax Collection
Depending on the booking source:
- Airbnb & Vrbo: Taxes are usually collected and remitted directly by the platform.
- Direct Bookings through Blue Herron: Fairly calculates and applies the correct state and local lodging or sales tax during checkout, ensuring guests are charged accurately.
All collected taxes are recorded and processed through Fairly.
Filing & Remittance
Fairly manages tax filing and payments for most jurisdictions by:
- Aggregating collected lodging and sales taxes.
- Preparing and submitting returns to each tax authority.
- Remitting funds directly on behalf of the property owner.
Financial Reporting
Blue Heron does not issue financial statements, invoices, or tax forms directly. All accounting, reservation, and tax activity — including payouts and 1099 reporting — is managed through Fairly.
You can access this information anytime by logging into your Fairly Owner Dashboard, which provides:
- Real-time income and payout summaries
- Reservation and tax details
- Filing and remittance reports
What’s Not Covered
Fairly’s services apply only to lodging and sales taxes associated with your vacation rental. Neither Blue Herron nor Fairly manages or advises on:
- Personal or business income tax
- Non-lodging taxes (e.g., Delaware business license or Maryland property tax)
- Taxes or transactions related to bookings outside of Fairly
For these, consult a licensed tax professional or your local tax office.
Why It Matters
Accurate tax compliance protects your property, simplifies your accounting, and ensures every guest stay is properly documented. With Blue Heron’s local oversight and Fairly’s automated financial system, you’ll always know your property’s finances are accurate, compliant, and up to date.