Tax Collection on VRBO-Destin Florida

[Cristy George]

Can someone help me translate this?  VRBO is telling me on their website as I write my listing that in Destin, FL:

11% tax collected from guests

3-4  local, county, and/or state registrations/licenses

24 returns per year (remitted monthly)

1-2 secretary of state registrations (optional)

185 consecutive nights stay or less are taxable

What does this mean exactly? 

--  I understand collecting 11% tax from guests

--  3-4 registrations/licenses, do I have to register with these entities or does it happen through the closing process?

-- 1-2 secretary of state registrations? Is this to register a business (i.e. LLC)? Why would 2 be required?

--  Are they saying the 11% tax applies to anyone staying less than 185 nights?

--  24 returns per year? Why so many?? That is twice monthly. Is that to remit the 11%? sales tax?

Help!! What do y'all do for the process? Do you hire a service like Avalara (the service that provides the above information on VRBO)? I would appreciate feedback, ugh!

[John Thedford]

You may be required to register  with local entities  such as your city or county that may regulate short-term stays. You are required to collect sales tax on any rental that is less than 6 months and 1 day. You are also going to be required to collect a  tax for  vacation rentals such as what motels or hotels collect. You need to contact the State of Florida Department of Revenue  to register as a business for tax collection purposes. There may be other items that I am not familiar with because I am not involved in VRBO or short-term rentals.