Question 1

Are cleaning fees subject to the visitor levy?

Accepted Answer

No. The levy applies to the accommodation portion of the charge only. Cleaning fees, meals, parking, transport and other extras are excluded before the percentage is applied. Visitor Levy App asks you to enter accommodation separately from extras for exactly this reason.

Question 2

What if a guest refuses to pay the levy?

Accepted Answer

The levy is a charge on the accommodation transaction and the accommodation provider is liable to account for it to the council. If a guest refuses to pay, the amount is still due from you — so it should be shown clearly at the point of booking rather than added on arrival.

Question 3

What happens if I file my return late?

Accepted Answer

Councils can apply penalties and interest for late or inaccurate returns under their scheme rules. Visitor Levy App calculates your deadline from the scheme's rule and counts down to it, but you are responsible for submitting on time — we never file on your behalf.

Question 4

Are bookings made before the scheme starts exempt?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where a booking was made before the scheme's start date, the stay is exempt even if it takes place after the levy goes live. Keep a record of the booking date. Visitor Levy App applies this automatically when you supply the date booked.

Question 5

How does VAT interact with the levy?

Accepted Answer

The levy is calculated on the net (pre-VAT) accommodation charge. VAT is then charged on the accommodation plus the levy. Calculating VAT first and applying the levy afterwards gives the wrong figure.

Question 6

Is there a cap on how many nights are charged?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh charges the levy on the first five consecutive nights of a stay. Other councils will set their own cap. Visitor Levy App applies the cap for the council area you select.

Question 7

Do you store my guests' data?

Accepted Answer

No. Booking spreadsheets are parsed and calculated entirely in your browser. Guest names and individual stay details are never transmitted to or stored on our servers. Only the quarter totals you choose to save are held in your account.

Question 8

Do I still need to keep my own records?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must retain your underlying booking records for the period your council requires — generally five years. Visitor Levy App's stored quarter summaries are for your convenience and do not replace that duty.

Question 9

Does Visitor Levy App submit the return for me?

Accepted Answer

No. Visitor Levy App produces the figures and a council-ready export. You review and submit them yourself through the council's own process. Legal responsibility for accuracy and timeliness stays with the property owner or operator.

Question 10

What about exemptions for disability, homelessness or under-16s?

Accepted Answer

Exemption refunds are claimed by the guest directly with the council. You never need to collect or hold evidence, and Visitor Levy App deliberately provides no way to upload it. You can flag a booking locally as 'guest claimed exempt' for your own reference.

Visitor levy questions, answered plainly

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