Community Forums

TeJay · 10-16-2013, 04:34 AM

Hi folks,
The DW and I are on a short trip into MI. We have stayed at several KOA's and other campgrounds. On our bills there has been a seperate charge of $8 called an RFT. That's $8 every night of your stay. We checked at the office here in Holly MI KOA and they said it is a Recreational Federal Tax that was added. The lady said nothing about a state tax but Federal tax. They don't know what for and they lowered their rates and simply absorbed the tax. They also said that others are raising their rates to pay the tax. I did some searching on the net but found nothing.

Are any of you travelers getting hit with this TAX. Is it listed on your bill separately or did they raise the price, and just not tell you they have this tax to pay?? Does anybody know anything about this??? Is this another example of the feds reaching into our pockets without us knowing why?? What is the $$$$ being used. Since we can afford to travel maybe somebody thinks we are some of the 1%-er's. If you camp 100 nights a year that's a bunch of tax $$$$$. I'm sure it's not on State or National parks but who knows??

Maybe somebody know someone to call to ask some questions.

TeJay

Ranger Smith · 10-16-2013, 05:07 AM

I think it is another way to gouge the customer. I did a search and found nothing. An $8.00 tax per night is pretty steep.

HD4Mark · 10-16-2013, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger Smith

I think it is another way to gouge the customer. I did a search and found nothing. An $8.00 tax per night is pretty steep.

I have to agree. Google only comes up with this thread and unrelated stuff. Sounds fishy to me.

SMRDNR · 10-16-2013, 05:46 AM

we stayed at 3 parks in Mi. this past year and never paid an 8.00 RFT tax.

zippo · 10-16-2013, 06:46 AM

When you go to the KOA site and make a reservation the RFT does show up as $8 per night. What it is i have no clue.

pcurt23 · 10-16-2013, 07:12 AM

I live in Michigan and have stayed in private parks all Summer. No $8 tax that I recall.

TeJay · 10-16-2013, 07:30 AM

I stopped at the office a few minutes ago and got more info. The RFT tax has been there but how long they didn't know. Last July 4th week-end the Feds required that they separate the RFT tax from the bill so we would know it was being charged and so they could keep better tabs of the charges.

It is a tax but they didn't know what it was for. It probably made it more known because of KOA being such a large group of private campgrounds. She said that when you go to the KOA sight and make reservations it shows up as a charge. They had an awful time during the 4th weekend explaining to campers because they thought it was a new charge. Since it is a fed tax we have all paid it but since it was a separate charge showing up on the bill we think it's an added charge.

Bottom line is I still don't trust them (The Feds). If it's been around for a time why can't anybody find out anything on the net about it purpose????

TeJay

CampDaven · 10-16-2013, 07:35 AM

So, even after you pay the bill you may not know what is in it. Until now.
Sounds familiar.

John Hilley · 10-16-2013, 07:53 AM

I don't think it is a tax. Maybe a reservation fee.

glarnold · 10-16-2013, 08:18 AM

Looks to me like KOA specific. I just emailed them asking for an explanation.

Will post when I find out.

GL Arnold

RickO · 10-16-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Bottom line is I still don't trust them (The Feds). If it's been around for a time why can't anybody find out anything on the net about it purpose????

TeJay

I don't trust them either.... but I'm referring to KOA.

Never heard of such a charge and $8/night seems ridiculously high to me.

Rick

Arch Hoagland · 10-16-2013, 09:43 AM

We're staying at a RV park next to Disneyland for six days.

There is a 15% "Lodging Tax"....$50.40 and a 2% "Tourism Improvement District Assessment".....$6.72 on the bill.

I'd be curious to know where the KOA says they send their RFT check to. In California all sales taxes are sent to the Board of Equalization who you can call and get a straight answer.

RickO · 10-16-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

We're staying at a RV park next to Disneyland for six days.

There is a 15% "Lodging Tax"....$50.40 and a 2% "Tourism Improvement District Assessment".....$6.72 on the bill.

I'd be curious to know where the KOA says they send their RFT check to. In California all sales taxes are sent to the Board of Equalization who you can call and get a straight answer.

We've seen a lot of state/local taxes like this too but the OP says it's a Federal Tax.

Clay L · 10-16-2013, 10:35 AM

If it really is a federal tax it should show up in RV parks all over the country and I have never seen it anywhere.
I never stay in KOAs (Keep On Adding charges).