GPSTBID for Short-term Vacation Rentals in Riverside County

Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Riverside County within the boundaries of the GPSTBID are required to pay the 1% GPSTBID assessment on all short-term rental revenue on stays of less than 28 days. GPSTBID Returns are due quarterly and can be submitted using the PDF form below via check or credit card. 

For credit card payments, please email your return to Josh Heinz at Josh@visitgreaterps.com. Once receieved, you can log in at MyGreaterPS.com to pay your quarterly GPSTBID invoice. 

Visit Greater Palm Springs (Visit GPS) is the official tourism marketing agency for the Coachella Valley. Founded in May 1989 by a Joint Powers Authority comprising the cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio, and the County of Riverside, Visit GPS was created as a public-private partnership to help grow the region’s tourism economy.

The mission of Visit GPS is to positively affect the destination’s tourism economy and quality of life for its residents, serving the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District (GPSTBID) Partners and providing sales, marketing and public relations support targeting potential leisure travelers from around the world as well as event, meeting and convention groups. In addition to destination sales and marketing, Visit GPS supports air service development, workforce development, consumer and group business research, visitor studies and destination stewardship.

All short-term rentals with valid permits from Riverside County within the grey boundary line below are part of the GPSTBID and required to pay the 1% GPSTBID assessment. If you have questions, please contact Josh Heinz and josh@visitgreaterps.com. 

GPSTBID Boundary

GPSTBID MARKETING BENEFITS & RESOURCES

What is a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)?
A TBID is an assessment district designed to provide specific benefits to payors by funding tourism marketing and sales promotion efforts for assessed businesses.

Who pays the assessment?
All lodging businesses with 50 rooms or more and vacation rentals located within the boundaries of the cities of Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio, as well as portions of the unincorporated area of Riverside County in the Coachella Valley. Boundary maps are available at gpsTBID.com.

How much is the assessment?
For vacation rentals, 1% of gross rental revenue for short-term stays of 27 days or less.

What is included in gross rental revenue?
All non-optional guest fees. This includes rent, resort, cleaning and all other fees required of guests. It does not include optional items, deposits, taxes, or utility reimbursements.

Can I pass this assessment cost onto the customer?
Yes, TBIDs are typically charged to the customer. Generally, visitors are accustomed to being charged these types of fees. Most hosting platforms will let you add them as a separate non-taxable fee. For operators using Airbnb in jurisdictions where Airbnb pays Transient Occupancy Tax for you, you may need to turn on “Professional Hosting Tools” to add the GPSTBID and collect both the assessment and taxes from your renters. Please note, Airbnb and VRBO do NOT remit GPSTBID for you.

When are assessment return forms and payments due?
Forms and payment must be received by Visit GPS by the last day of the month following the reporting period. For homes in unincorporated Riverside County, the reporting period is quarterly.

How much are late penalties?
10% of the assessment amount. The assessment and penalty are charged an interest fee of 1% per month past due. Late payment can also result in being required to pay the cost of collecting the delinquency, including legal fees.

How do I pay the assessment for a short-term vacation rental?
For properties located in unincorporated areas of Riverside County within the GPSTBID boundaries, payment is made directly to Visit Greater Palm Springs each quarter.*

PAYING BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

Mail the GPSTBID Return Form along with your payment made out to Visit Greater Palm Springs, Attn: GPSTBID, 70100 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.

PAYING BY CREDIT CARD

A 3% processing fee will be added to all credit card transactions. Email your GPSTBID Return Form to josh@visitgreaterps.com. An invoice with the amount of GPSTBID and processing fees due will be created for your account within 5 business days and emailed back to you. You can then log in at MyGreaterPS.com to pay your invoice with a credit card.

Payment must be received prior to the delinquent date.

Does this assessment provide marketing opportunities my property can participate in?
Yes!
Please contact Josh Heinz at josh@visitgreaterps.com for your login information. You can visit MyGreaterPS.com to learn about opportunities, login to your account, and much more.

Who can I contact with questions?
For questions concerning TBID forms, filing and payments, or adding your listing and marketing opportunities, contact Josh Heinz, Partnership Coordinator at (760) 969-1333 or josh@visitgreaterps.com.

* If your property is not unincorporated County but in a City located within the GPSTBID boundaries, your payment is made directly to that City on the same form you pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Please visit gpsTBID.com for more information.

Sign up for regular Vacation Rental TBID partner communications here.