As a Short Term Accommodation (STA) operator, you play an important role in our community. By welcoming and hosting visitors to our community you have become an important part of our local tourism economy.
Whether you list your property on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, or handle bookings independently, there are legal requirements you must follow, including the collection and remittance of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).
Your Responsibility as an STA Operator
If you operate an STA in the City of Thunder Bay, it is your legal responsibility to collect the MAT from guests and remit it to the City. This requirement has been in place since 2018 under By-law 74/2018. Failure to comply may result in penalties, as the collection and remittance of MAT is a mandatory obligation.
But don't worry, compliance is easy!
- Submit an Accommodation Establishment Information Form within 30 days of the establishment commencing operations.
- Collect the MAT from your guests: Ensure that the tax is applied to the accommodation charge only and not to other fees such as amenity fees and service charges including meals, laundry, room incidentals or parking provided they are separately itemized on the invoice. The Municipal Accommodation Tax must be identified as a separate item or charge on each bill, receipt or invoice.
- Remit the MAT to the City with a Municipal Accommodation Tax Return Form. You are responsible for submitting the collected tax to the City; you can choose to remit monthly or quarterly.
- Keep accurate records and maintain detailed records of all bookings, including the MAT you collect, in case of an audit.
- View our Frequently Asked Questions page
- Contact us if you have any other questions at ctbmat@thunderbay.ca or call (807) 625-2255.
Working Together to Strengthen Our Community
The MAT helps us build a stronger community—one that provides excellent services and experiences for residents and visitors.
By collecting and remitting the MAT, you’re contributing to projects that make our city a better place to live and visit.
These projects help attract more tourists, which can, in turn, increase demand for short-term rentals like yours.
Additionally, by supporting tourism initiatives, you help grow the local economy and create more opportunities for events, attractions, and experiences that draw visitors year-round.
Learn how the MAT funds collected are impacting the community
When you act as a positive ambassador for our community, you’re not just welcoming visitors; you’re investing in the future of our city.
Let’s make Thunder Bay a place people can’t wait to visit again!
- Encourage Exploration of Local Shops and Services: Suggest nearby stores, markets, and services. This helps guests enjoy a more authentic visit and supports local businesses.
If every visitor to our city spent an extra $20 while they were here,
it would inject an additional $10-12 million per year into the local economy!
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Create a one-page/emailable guide: A simple list of links to maps, tips on public transit, local events, and nearby attractions and amenities helps guests feel at home and find their way around. Have a few copies of the free Thunder Bay Experience magazine on-hand.
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Stay connected to Tourism Thunder Bay: Tourism Thunder Bay is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Thunder Bay and they can offer inspiration and helpful resources—such as website links, articles, and brochures—that you can pass along to guests. These materials offer valuable insights into the best things to see and do in Thunder Bay.
thunderbay.ca, visitthunderbay.com and northernontario.travel are all incredible resources for information.
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Highlight Our Natural Beauty and Cultural Sites: Mention popular spots like our parks, trails, and museums to give guests a taste of our community’s natural and cultural richness.
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Be Warm and Welcoming: First impressions count! A helpful attitude creates a memorable experience, encouraging guests to return to the city and recommend your rental to friends.
Help your guests enjoy the best of Thunder Bay, and make a positive impact on the community - all while growing your own business!
Frequently asked questions for accommodation providers
Have questions? Read our frequently asked questions for accommodation providers.
General information
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| What is the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
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The Municipal Accommodation Tax, or MAT, is a 5% tax charged on the cost of fixed roof transient accommodations sold for a continuous period of less than 30 days within the boundaries of the City of Thunder Bay.
The tax applies to all accommodation sold for a continuous period of less than 30 days in a hotel, motel, lodge, inn, hostel, bed and breakfast, dwelling unit or any place an accommodation is provided.
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| When do I start charging the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
| The accommodation provider must complete the Accommodation Establishment Information form within 30 days of beginning operations and start charging the Municipal Accommodation Tax immediately upon commencement. |
| Is this a mandatory or voluntary tax? |
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Mandatory.
The Municipal Accommodation Tax must be collected by the accommodation provider at the same time customers are charged for the booking.
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| What is the authority to charge the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
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On August 13, 2018, Thunder Bay City Council passed By-Law, 74/2018 which provides for mandatory collection and remittance of the Municipal Accommodation Tax.
The municipality is authorized per section 400.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and Ontario Regulation 435/17 to establish and to collect the tax.
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| What happens with the money collected through the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
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The tax will generate funding to promote tourism within the City of Thunder Bay. 50% of the net revenue from the Municipal Accommodation Tax will go to tourism promotion and development with a focus on attracting more visitors to the City through sports and cultural events, conventions, enhanced attractions and outdoor activities.
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) administers 50% of this tax revenue to support continued tourism growth and development by providing funding through the Tourism Development Fund.
The other 50% of the net revenue is retained by the City of Thunder Bay, and earmarked for infrastructure projects that promote tourism and that benefit residents and visitors.
Learn how the City uses MAT funds to promote tourism, and benefit residents and visitors
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| What hotel/accommodation charges are exempt from the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
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The Municipal Accommodation Tax is only applied to the total purchase price of your accommodation (i.e. room fee). This may include the cost of cleaning the room to prepare it for the next guest, provided that cost is included in the Purchase Price for the Accommodation and not invoiced separately. It does not apply to amenity fees or service charges including resort fees, meals, room incidentals, valet services or parking. Similarly, to be exempt from the Municipal Accommodation Tax, these amenities and services charges must be separately itemized on the invoice/bill.
Hospitality rooms and meeting rooms that do not contain a bed are not considered accommodations.
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| Are long-term contracts for room rentals with businesses that exceed 30 days exempt? |
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Yes, the purchaser, per the By-law, is the person or business who remits money for the room and therefore the Municipal Accommodation Tax would not apply for a contract of 30 days or more.
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Invoicing information
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| Do I need to show the Municipal Accommodation Tax on the invoice or receipt? |
| Yes, every bill, receipt, invoice or similar document for the purchase of accommodation must have a separate item identified as “Municipal Accommodation Tax” showing the rate at which the Municipal Accommodation Tax is calculated (5%) and the amount of the Municipal Accommodation Tax charged. |
| Is the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) charged on the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
| Yes, if the accommodation provider is registered for HST. The accommodation provider is responsible for collecting and remitting the HST on the room charge and on the Municipal Accommodation Tax. HST is remitted directly to the Canada Revenue Agency. |
| What revenue does the Municipal Accommodation Tax apply to if I charge a fee that includes accommodation and meals (i.e. bed and breakfast)? |
| It is the responsibility of the accommodation provider to allocate the revenue from the accommodation charge separate from other services, amenities or charges on the invoice and collect and remit the Municipal Accommodation Tax on the accommodation portion of the fees. If the fees are not separately listed on the invoice, the Municipal Accommodation Tax will apply to the entire invoice. |
| What happens if guests do not show up for their reservation? |
| The Municipal Accommodation Tax is to be collected and remitted if the accommodation is charged. If the guest is not charged but is required to pay a cancellation fee, the Municipal Accommodation Tax would not apply to the cancellation fee. |
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Collection and remittance
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| What is the purpose of the Accommodation Establishment Information Form? |
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The Accommodation Establishment Information Form (Schedule A) will be used by the City to set up your establishment name, address and contact information correctly in our accounting system and provide you with a customer ID.
This customer ID will then be used to associate your monthly remittances and payments with the proper establishment.
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| How do I report and remit the Municipal Accommodation Tax that I collected? |
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Complete a Municipal Accommodation Tax Return Form.
See the form for instructions and information about reporting periods, calculations, exemptions and adjustments, payment and submission.
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| What if a refund was issued to a guest after submitting the return? |
| Adjustments from prior reporting periods can be made in the period the refund was returned. |
| What if I did not collect any Municipal Accommodation Tax in the reporting period? |
| If you did not sell any accommodations subject to the Municipal Accommodation Tax and thus no Municipal Accommodation Tax was collected, you will still be required to submit the Municipal Accommodation Tax Return Form indicating that no Municipal Accommodation Tax was collected in the reporting period. |
| How often do I have to complete the Municipal Accommodation Tax Return and remit the amount of MAT collected? |
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Providers who collect and remit the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to Canada Revenue Agency monthly shall remit the amount of the Municipal Accommodation Tax that is collected and becomes collectable on a monthly basis. The Provider shall remit the amount collectable for the previous month on or before the last day of every month, and shall submit the Municipal Accommodation Tax Return Form (Schedule B) to the City at that time.
Providers who collect and remit Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to Canada Revenue Agency quarterly, annually, or who are not registered to collect remit HST to Canada Revenue Agency, shall remit the amount of the Municipal Accommodation Tax that is collected and becomes collectable on a quarterly basis. The Provider shall remit the amount for the previous quarter on or before the last day of the month following the end of the quarter and shall submit the Municipal Accommodation Tax Return Form (Schedule B) to the City at that time.
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Frequently asked questions from guests
Have questions? Read our information about frequently asked questions by guests.
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What is the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)?
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The tax is added to the price paid for a room booked at a fixed roof accommodation in the City of Thunder Bay as required by law. The rate is 5% of the total room cost.
The tax applies to all accommodation sold for a continuous period of less than 30 days in a hotel, motel, lodge, inn, hostel, bed and breakfast, dwelling unit and other place transient accommodation is provided operating within the City of Thunder Bay.
The tax was effective September 1, 2018.
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How is the Municipal Accommodation Tax applied to the purchase price of accommodations?
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The amount of the tax must be clearly identified as a line item on your bill or invoice as “Municipal Accommodation Tax” The amount is 5% of the total accommodation cost.
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Are other charges by accommodation providers exempt from the Municipal Accommodation Tax?
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| Yes. The Municipal Accommodation Tax is only applied to the total purchase price of your accommodation (i.e. room fee). It does not apply to amenity fees or service charges including meals, room incidentals, valet services or parking. However, to be exempt from the Municipal Accommodation Tax, these amenities and services charges must be separately itemized on the invoice/bill. |
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Is the payment of the Municipal Accommodation Tax optional?
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No. The Municipal Accommodation Tax is mandatory as per City By-law. It must be paid at the same time you complete the purchase, in full, for your stay.
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If I’m travelling for medical purposes do I have to pay the MAT?
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| Yes. However, the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care provides funding through the Northern Health Travel Grant for eligible applicants. For more information, visit the Ministry website. |
| What happens with the money collected through the Municipal Accommodation Tax? |
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The tax will generate funding annually to promote tourism within the City of Thunder Bay. 50% of the net revenue from the Municipal Accommodation Tax will go to tourism promotion and development with a focus on attracting more visitors to the City through sports and cultural events, conventions, enhanced attractions and outdoor activities.
The other 50% of the net revenue will be retained by the City of Thunder Bay, earmarked for infrastructure projects that promote tourism and that benefit residents and visitors.
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