An amended hotel-motel tax ordinance could herald an increase in revenue for McDuffie County.
The change allows hotels to charge an occupancy tax for the initial 30 consecutive days of continuous occupancy, instead of the previous 10-day maximum. The tax is 5 percent of the amount of rent.
The state of Georgia amended the law in 2008, changing their definition of extended stay from 10 days to 30.
McDuffie County’s ordinance did not reflect the change until the board of commissioners unanimously approved the amendment at a meeting Dec. 7.
“It could bring in more revenue for the county,” said Elizabeth Vance, the executive director of the Thomson-McDuffie County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We do get a lot of extended stays in McDuffie County, like construction crews and some corporate business.”
