The Short-Term Rental Application Packet is the application the Henry County Tax Commissioner's Business & Occupational Tax Division uses for owners who rent a home short term in unincorporated Henry County, Georgia. It bundles the Short Term Rental Application (Henry County Ordinance 3-3-Article VII) with a local emergency contact consent form, legal status and private employer affidavits, a gross receipts page, a personal property guide and a hotel-motel occupancy tax return. The guide covers the separate Henry County property tax return that business owners file with the Tax Assessor. On this page you can fill out the packet online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original at henrycountytax.com.
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What is Short-Term Rental Application Packet – Henry County, GA?
The Short-Term Rental Application Packet is the Henry County Tax Commissioner's application bundle for owners of short-term rental properties in unincorporated Henry County, Georgia, built around the Short Term Rental Application issued under Henry County Ordinance 3-3-Article VII.
The packet is one of the print applications offered on the county's Occupational Tax page, next to the Commercial Application Packet and the Home-Based Application Packet. It applies for an Occupational Tax Certificate, which the county says expires on December 31 of the year the application is submitted. Fees are assessed at the time of submission.
The packet contains these parts:
- Short Term Rental Application: owner information, rental information and an ordinance acknowledgement that the owner initials and signs.
- Short-Term Rental Local Emergency Contact Consent Form: signed by the person who will act as the 24-hour local contact.
- Legal Status and Private Employer Affidavit: a legal status affidavit and an affidavit under O.C.G.A. § 36-60-6(d).
- Gross Receipts Page for Occupational Tax Calendar Year: the figure the office uses to calculate the occupational tax.
- Henry County Personal Property Guide: an information sheet on business personal property returns.
- Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Return: the monthly return for the 8% excise tax.
The application states that the short-term rental is treated under the county's home occupation standards (ULDC 7.01.02). Georgia law keeps gross receipts information confidential, as the gross receipts page notes.
Who needs to file Short-Term Rental Application Packet – Henry County, GA?
The property owner who plans to operate a short-term rental in unincorporated Henry County completes and signs the application. The county says any person, including an individual, partnership, corporation or limited liability company, who wishes to conduct business in unincorporated Henry County must secure an Occupational Tax Certificate.
Conditions printed in the packet:
- LLC or INC owners: attach copies from the Georgia Secretary of State; the property owner must be listed on the LLC or INC.
- Local emergency contact: a separate individual who resides within 20 miles of the rental. The contact cannot be the owner or live in the home, and must sign the consent form.
- Applicants: each applicant checks one legal status box: a United States citizen 18 or older, or a qualified alien or nonimmigrant 18 or older who is lawfully present and attaches an Alien Registration Card copy.
- Rentals in a subdivision: a letter from the Homeowners Association allowing short-term rental is required. If no HOA exists, signing the application acknowledges that no HOA is active.
Businesses located inside a city or town do not use this packet: they get their Business Occupational Tax Certificate from that municipality.
When to file Short-Term Rental Application Packet – Henry County, GA
Meet with the Building Department before you rent: the application says a Due Diligence meeting must take place prior to renting the property, and the form has a line for the meeting date.
The county page says all businesses need Zoning Department approval, with a minimum of 10 to 15 days allowed, and regulated businesses may need further approvals first. The certificate expires on December 31 of the year the application is submitted. A notice on the page says certificates applied for through December 31, 2026 will pay for the 2025 and 2026 tax certificate once completed.
After the certificate is issued, the Hotel/Motel 8% excise tax is due monthly before the 20th of the month following collection. The occupancy tax return states that return and remittance must be made by close of business on the 20th day of the month. Late payment can lead to noncompliance and suspension of the STR license.
The gross receipts page asks for receipts from October 1 of last year to September 30 of the current year, or an estimate for the next 12 months if you were not in business.
Documents you need
- A copy of the property owner's driver's license; the application asks for the license number and says to include a copy.
- Copies of the LLC or INC from the Georgia Secretary of State, if the business type is LLC or INC; the property owner must be listed on it.
- A letter from the Homeowners Association allowing short-term rental, if the property is in a subdivision with an HOA.
- A copy of the brochure required by the ordinance.
- A signed affidavit from a Building Inspector, with a copy of the Building Inspector's state license.
- A copy of the local emergency contact's driver's license, attached to the Local Emergency Contact Consent Form.
- A copy of your Alien Registration Card, if you check the qualified alien or nonimmigrant box on the Legal Status Affidavit.
- The Private Employer Affidavit under O.C.G.A. § 36-60-6(d), which has a notary public signature block.
How to fill out Short-Term Rental Application Packet – Henry County, GA
Enter account and meeting date
At the top of the Short Term Rental Application, enter the Account # if you have one and the Date of Due Diligence Meeting with the Building Department.
Complete the owner information
Enter the name of business, DBA, property owner name and address, subdivision name, driver's license number (include a copy), rental address, parcel ID, any additional STRs with the county, phone and email.
Check the business type
Check Sole Proprietorship, LLC, INC or Partnership. For an LLC or INC, attach the Georgia Secretary of State copies showing the property owner.
Describe the rental
Check Partial Rental, Additional Dwelling Unit or Full House Rental. Enter the date first rented, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage of each bedroom, and the number of vehicles allowed per ordinance.
Initial the ordinance acknowledgements
Read the home occupation standards and initial each line that applies, including the neighbor notice, HOA letter, emergency contact, Due Diligence meeting, brochure and Building Inspector affidavit lines. Sign and enter the date of application.
Complete the emergency contact form
Enter the contact's name, address, 24-hour phone, email and driver's license number, attach the license copy, and have the contact sign and date the consent statement.
Check your legal status
On the Legal Status Affidavit, mark #1 for a U.S. citizen 18 or older or #2 for a qualified alien or nonimmigrant 18 or older. Enter the Alien Registration Number if you are a non-citizen.
Complete the private employer affidavit
Enter the employer's name and select 1(a) or 1(b) for employee count on January 1. For 1(a), give the E-Verify number and the federal work authorization user ID and date. Sign before a notary public.
Enter gross receipts
On the Gross Receipts Page, enter the date, account number, business name and address, gross receipts, owner signature and date.
Review the occupancy tax return
The Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Return computes tax on lines 1 to 6: gross receipts, exemptions, taxable receipts, 8% tax due, the 3% deduction if paid by the 20th, and total due. The county says payment is made online.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check every initial, signature, date and attachment, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it through the channels under How to submit.
How to submit Short-Term Rental Application Packet – Henry County, GA
You can apply online or bring the completed print packet to the Tax Commissioner's office by appointment.
- Online: use the application link on the county's Occupational Tax page, https://henrycountytax.com/35/Occupational-Tax.
- In person: you must schedule an appointment before bringing the completed application to the Henry County Tax Commissioner, 140 Henry Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253. Call 770.288.8180, option 5, or use the appointment link on the Occupational Tax page.
Fees are assessed at the time of submission; ask the office for the current amount. To request a copy of an issued certificate, call 770-288-8180, option 5, or email [email protected].
After the certificate is issued you receive an email with a separate account number and PIN. Hotel/motel occupancy tax is paid online with them. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Renting the property before the Due Diligence meeting with the Building Department; the application says the meeting must happen prior to renting.
- Naming an emergency contact who is the owner, lives in the home, or lives more than 20 miles from the rental.
- Leaving out the HOA letter when the property is in a subdivision with an HOA.
- Filing as an LLC or INC without Secretary of State copies, or with a property owner who is not listed on the entity.
- Skipping the initials on the acknowledgement lines, including those for the 300-foot neighbor notice and the monthly excise tax.
- Not notifying all properties within 300 feet or not giving them the local contact information.
- Missing the 20th-of-the-month deadline for the Hotel/Motel 8% excise tax; the license can be suspended for noncompliance.
- Leaving off the driver's license copy for the owner or the emergency contact.
- Bringing the completed application to the office without an appointment; the county page says you must schedule one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Henry County Short-Term Rental Application Packet?
It is the Henry County Tax Commissioner's application packet for short-term rentals in unincorporated Henry County, GA. It includes the Short Term Rental Application under Ordinance 3-3-Article VII, affidavits, an emergency contact consent form and a gross receipts page.
Is the short-term rental packet a Henry County property tax form?
No. It applies for an Occupational Tax Certificate and sets up the 8% hotel/motel excise tax. Its personal property guide covers the separate Henry County property tax return (PT-50P) filed with the Tax Assessor by April 1.
Do I need an HOA letter for a short-term rental in Henry County?
Yes, if the property is in a subdivision with an HOA: the application requires a letter from the Homeowners Association allowing short-term rental. If no HOA exists, your signature acknowledges that no HOA is active in the subdivision.
Who can be the local emergency contact?
Someone other than the owner who lives within 20 miles of the rental, not in the home. The contact must be reachable 24 hours a day, have access to the property, and sign the consent form with a copy of their driver's license.
When is the Henry County hotel/motel excise tax due?
Monthly, before the 20th of the month following collection. The occupancy tax return says return and payment are due by close of business on the 20th. After the certificate is issued, you receive an email with a separate account and PIN for paying online.
Can I bring the short-term rental application to the office without an appointment?
No. The county's Occupational Tax page says you must schedule an appointment to bring a completed application into the office. You can instead apply online through that page. Call 770.288.8180, option 5, with questions.
Can I fill out the Henry County short-term rental packet online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, is not affiliated with Henry County, and does not submit the application; you submit it through the county's channels.
How long is the occupational tax certificate valid?
It expires on December 31 of the year the application is submitted. The county page also says fees are assessed when you submit, so ask the Tax Commissioner's office for the current amount.
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