Port Isabel, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Short-Term Rental?
A Short-Term Rental, also known as a Vacation Rental, is the rental of a legally-licensed dwelling unit for periods of less than 30 consecutive days per occurrence. A Short-Term Rental License is required prior to advertising and renting your property.
Who needs to apply for a Short-Term Rental License?
The City of Port Isabel requires that you register any Short-term Rental property with the Finance Department. Short-Term Rentals (less than 30 days) are required to collect and pay Hotel-Motel Tax.
I am unfamiliar with paying taxes on my short-term rental, how can I find more infomation?
To become familiar with paying taxes on your short-term rental, visit this link for more information: https://www.myportisabel.com/247/Short-Term-Rental-Info
What is the Hotel Occupancy Tax?
The Hotel Occupancy for the Short-Term Rentals in Port Isabel is as follows:
The City of Port Isabel tax is in addition to the 6% rate imposed by the State of Texas.
Any payment due to the State should be remitted to the State Comptroller. For more information on the State Comptroller, click here. Or call (800)252-1385.
To pay the Hotel Occupancy Tax due the City of Port Isabel, remit payment to: City of Port Isabel 305 E. Maxan St. Port Isabel, Texas 78578
For further information: City of Port Isabel Finance Department (956) 943-0703ar@copitx.com
HOTEL [SHORT TERM RENTAL] OCCUPANCY TAX USE GUIDELINES UNDER TEXAS STATE LAW FUNDING APPLICATION FORM:
State Law: By law of the State of Texas, the City of Port Isabel collects a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) from hotels, bed & breakfasts, and other lodging facilities. Under state law, the revenue from the HOT may be used only to directly promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry. Chapter 351 of the Tax Code states that the use of HOT funds is limited to:
a) Convention Centers and Visitor Information Centers: the acquisition of sites for and the construction, improvement, enlarging, equipping, repairing operation and maintenance of convention center facilities or visitor information centers, or both;
b) Registration of Convention Delegates: the furnishing of facilities, personnel, and materials for the registration of convention delegates or registrants;
c) Advertising, Solicitations and Promotions that Directly Promote Tourism and the Hotel and Convention Industry: advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants to the municipality or its vicinity;
d) Promotions of the Arts that Directly Promote Tourism and the Hotel and Convention Industry: the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts that can be shown to have some direct impact on tourism and the hotel/convention industry. The impact may be that the art facility or event can show hotel nights that are booked due to their events or that guests at hotels attend the arts event. Eligible forms of art include instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture, design and allied fields, painting, sculpture photography, graphic and craft arts, motion picture, radio, television, tape and sound recording, and other arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of these major art forms.
e) Historical Restoration and Preservation Activities that Directly Promote Tourism and the Hotel and Convention Industry: historical restoration and preservation projects or activities or advertising and conducting solicitation and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved historic sites or museums.
f) Sporting Event Expenses that Substantially Increase Economic Activity at Hotels: Expenses including promotional expenses, directly related to a sporting event in which the majority of participants are tourists. The event must substantially increase economic activity at hotels within the city or its vicinity.
g) Funding transportation systems for transporting tourists from hotels to and near the city to any of the following destinations:
The law specifically prohibits the use of the local hotel tax to cover the costs for general city transit costs to transport the general public.
h) Signage directing tourists to sights and attractions that are visited frequently by hotel guests in the municipality.
Port Isabel Tax Code Link:
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/portisabel/latest/portisabel_tx/0-0-0-1353
LOCAL HOTEL-MOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX
§ 39.15 DEFINITIONS.
§ 39.16 TAX.
§ 39.17 COLLECTION.
§ 39.18 REPORT.
§ 39.19 CITY COMMISSION'S AUTHORIZATION.
§ 39.20 USE OF REVENUE.
Can I pay by eCheck ?
Yes. You can select eCheck during checkout. In doing so, you authorize your bank to send the payment electronically to the City of Port Isabel. The City does not pull the money from your account, ever. A convenience fee of $1.00 will be charged.
I need to close my account. What do I do?
Please email the City of Port Isabel at ar@copitx.com. Please include the closure date and the reason you are closing the account.
How do I amend a return?
Please email ar@copitx.com letting us know you need to file an amended return. In the email please include:
1) the name of the city the amendment is for along with your six digit license/account number, and owner name
2) period you need to amend (i.e. q1 2025 form due April 20th)
3) if you overpaid or underpaid your original form
4) brief explanation as to why the form needs to be amended
Once we receive this email we will review your account and send you further instructions.
What types of assistance can GovOS provide to me?
GovOS can assist you with all your system and account questions. Whether you have a question about your account or technical questions about how to do something in GovOS, please reach out to our support team. We can always reach out to the City on your behalf if we need their assistance with one of your questions. You can reach GovOS at blt.str.support@govos.com and by phone at (888) 751-1911.
Where are my tax forms? My Action Center is empty.
Your tax forms will be available on the 1st day of the month following the last day of the tax period. for example, the Quarter 1 (January - March) tax forms will be available in your action center on April 1. If you do not see the forms you expected, simply contact GovOS support for assistance.
Can I manage multiple properties with one login?
Yes, to do so, click Add Accounts from your user login under Manage your account(s). You will need your 6 digit account number and the GovOS activation code to connect to an existing property record.
Can a property have more than one user?
Yes, each property can have an unlimited number of users. Each user is required to provide the 6 digit account number and the GovOS activation code to be authorized to connect to an existing property record.
I did not receive or I misplaced the letter with my Activation Code. What do I do?
Contact GovOS at blt.str.support@govos.com or by phone at (888) 751-1911 for assistance. You will need to confirm account details to be verified for the account. To protect the security on property accounts, you will need written (e-mail) permission from a registered owner or officer of the property for us to provide you with a new activation code.
Can I file a Zero File Tax return through GovOS?
Yes, to file a Zero File Tax form, select your tax form from your Action Center, complete the required information on the remittance, including gross rents and any deductions. You will be prompted to confirm your desire to complete the return as a Zero File Tax return.
Can I schedule a payment in GovOS?
For your security, GovOS does not store any payment information in the system. You will need to enter your desired payment information each time you check out.
How do I change the user on a property?
All users need to register, just as you did, by going to the home page for that jurisdiction (i.e. https://portisabeltx.munirevs.com/). they will click on the "go" button under "new users". they will also need the 6 digit account number and activation code for the property.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
From the Log In page, click the "Forgot your password" link and follow the instructions that will be e-mailed to the user's registered e-mail address.
Do I have to login to GovOS to see my alerts and reminders?
No, all alerts are e-mailed to your authenticated e-mail address. When you login to the system, you will also see any open alerts that need to be addressed in your action center.
For assistance, contact GovOS Support
blt.str.support@govos.com
(888) 751-1911
When contacting support, be sure to include the jurisdiction (Port Isabel, TX) and your account number in all emails or voicemails. This will help us assist you as promptly as possible. Thanks!
