Congress, the executive branch and federal courts.' 'The unquestionable right of sovereign, self-governing American Indian tribes to levy sales taxes,' Bitner said, 'is recognized by the U.S. And the money collected goes toward government functions for the tribe, such as police and fire rescue. Otherwise, the Hard Rock would have 'an unfair competitive advantage over other area hotels' by undercutting their prices, he said.
The tax has likely generated millions of dollars in additional revenue for the tribe's already hugely profitable casino business.īut Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the Seminoles, said the tax, in part, is charged to help other local hotels. Santiago Corrada, Hillsborough County's top tourism promoter, said he didn't know about it and questioned if it was fair.
Dana Young, R-Tampa, calls the tribe's hotel tax a 'guise' to charge customers more while making it seem like Florida governments are getting a share. There, the 469-room Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood - also on tribal land - charges an additional 11 percent, too. It's a similar story in Broward County, where hotels collect 11 percent tax on each night's stay.