The numbers prove Anna Maria Island is a popular place.
Resort taxes collected in January 2016 rose above taxes collected in January 2015.
The Manatee County tax collector’s office reports it collected $408,218.24 from the island’s resorts and motels in January 2016.
In January 2015, $364,728.60 was collected, for a collections increase of $43,489.64.
But December’s collections ended 2015 on a low point. The $250,869.04 collected was a $147,634.53 drop from the $398,503.57 collected in December 2014.
The tax is collected by short-term rentals in Manatee County. The tourist development tax is also known as the bed tax or tourist tax. It’s a tax of 5 percent on accommodations rented for six months or less.
Funds are managed by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, which reports to the county commission.
The TDC allocates funding with commission approval to award mostly matching grants to tourism-related projects in the area and to fund the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, an organization focused on marketing Manatee County for tourism and industry.
— Tal Reeve
AMI resort tax collections:
• December 2014, $398,503.57.
• December 2015, $250,869.04.
• January 2015, $364,728.60.
• January 2016, $408,218.24.
