# Hamilton STR MAT — First Remittance Prep Checklist (Oct 15, 2026)

**Operational remittance prep only.** Not tax advice. Not legal advice. Verify every step with the City of Hamilton, ORHMA, and your own accountant or lawyer before filing or paying.

**Company / product context:** NightLedger (11244558 Canada Inc.) — multi-city STR remittance-prep packaging. This checklist is a public-rules digest for hosts.

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## Key facts (public sources)

| Item | Public fact | Source |
|------|-------------|--------|
| Rate | **4%** MAT on accommodation charge (before HST); continuous stays of **29 nights or less** | [hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax) |
| Who remits | **STR operators** collect & remit. Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com) are **not** currently collecting/remitting for Hamilton STRs | [Comm update PDF](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/comm-update-Municipal-Accommodation-Tax-%28MAT%29-Implementation-for-STR.pdf); [Info session PDF](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/taxes-MAT-Information-Session-Short-Term-Rental-Operators-june222026.pdf) |
| Collection agent | **ORHMA** (Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association) — City-designated agent | [hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax) |
| Portal | https://hamilton.orhma.com/login | [hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax) |
| First period | **Jul 1 – Sep 30, 2026** (Q3) | Same |
| First due | **October 15, 2026** | Same + [Comm update](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/comm-update-Municipal-Accommodation-Tax-%28MAT%29-Implementation-for-STR.pdf) |
| Schedule after | Q1→Apr 15 · Q2→Jul 15 · Q3→Oct 15 · Q4→Jan 15 | [hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax) |
| Late interest | **1.25%/month** on overdue MAT; unpaid amounts may be added to tax roll / become a lien | [hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax); By-law [22-209](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2022-08/22-209.pdf) |
| Records | Keep supporting records **7 years** | [hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax) |

**Licence ≠ MAT registration:** An STR licence does not automatically complete MAT portal setup for remittance. Confirm ORHMA credentials. ([hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax); [Comm update](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/comm-update-Municipal-Accommodation-Tax-%28MAT%29-Implementation-for-STR.pdf))

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## One-page checklist — first remittance prep

### A. Before Oct 15 — access & setup
- [ ] Confirm you hold a valid Hamilton **STR operator licence** (principal-residence program). Licensing: [Short-Term Rentals](https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/starting-small-business/business-licences/short-term-rentals) · strlicensing@hamilton.ca · 905-546-2782 option 2
- [ ] Confirm **ORHMA portal access** (credentials / auto-registration email). Contact: mat@orhma.com · phones published as 905-361-0268 ([city page](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax)) and 905-592-3023 ([info session](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/taxes-MAT-Information-Session-Short-Term-Rental-Operators-june222026.pdf))
- [ ] Bookmark portal: https://hamilton.orhma.com/
- [ ] Read city MAT page + June 22, 2026 session deck: [taxes-MAT-Information-Session…pdf](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/taxes-MAT-Information-Session-Short-Term-Rental-Operators-june222026.pdf)

### B. Calendar / booking export (your systems)
- [ ] Export **all bookings with stay nights overlapping Jul 1 – Sep 30, 2026** from each channel (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, direct)
- [ ] Flag stays of **30+ consecutive nights** (MAT does **not** apply to 30+ consecutive nights per city page / by-law framing of 29 nights or less)
- [ ] Build a quarter worksheet: confirmation ID · guest nights · check-in/out · accommodation charge (pre-HST) · MAT collected · channel · exemption reason if any
- [ ] Reconcile **room nights available** vs **room nights occupied** for the quarter (fields ORHMA tool expects — see C)

### C. Remittance / report fields (publicly listed only)
City page lists ORHMA “MAT Reporting Tool” required data ([hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax)):
- [ ] Name of the Property
- [ ] Property MAT contact person — name, email, phone
- [ ] Contact info of Manager, Accountant, and Owner (as applicable)
- [ ] Room nights available
- [ ] Room nights occupied
- [ ] Rooms Revenue
- [ ] Rooms Revenue with Exemption / reasons

**Also required operationally (public):**
- [ ] Submit a report **even if no MAT was collected** that period ([hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax))
- [ ] Remit collected MAT via ORHMA process (ask ORHMA for current payment steps — city directs access/remit questions to ORHMA)

### D. Guest-facing collection setup (platforms do not auto-remit for Hamilton)
Per [info session PDF](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/taxes-MAT-Information-Session-Short-Term-Rental-Operators-june222026.pdf): hosts are responsible for adding MAT on listings.
- [ ] Airbnb: add tourist / lodging tax per Airbnb Help “Add Tourist Taxes” (session guidance: Tax type Tourist Tax; Base Price; No Cap per night; use Hamilton licence # where asked for accommodations tax registration number)
- [ ] VRBO: Manage Lodging Taxes
- [ ] Booking.com: local taxes / Partner Hub guidance
- [ ] Show **“Municipal Accommodation Tax”** as a separate line on invoices/receipts ([hamilton.ca/mat](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax); [By-law 22-209](https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2022-08/22-209.pdf))

### E. File, pay, archive
- [ ] Complete Q3 report in ORHMA portal **on or before Oct 15, 2026**
- [ ] Remit amount calculated by portal / your records (confirm with accountant)
- [ ] Save confirmation / receipt PDF
- [ ] Archive exports + worksheets for **7 years**
- [ ] Set recurring reminders for next quarterly due dates

### F. If blocked
- [ ] No portal email → mat@orhma.com (include property address / licence context)
- [ ] Licensing questions → strlicensing@hamilton.ca
- [ ] General MAT policy → pam.mulholland@hamilton.ca (listed on city MAT page)

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## Disclaimer (required)

This document is an **operational checklist** compiled from publicly posted City of Hamilton and ORHMA materials as of research date **Sep 7, 2026**. It is **not** tax, accounting, or legal advice. Rules, due dates, portal fields, and payment methods can change. **Verify with the City, ORHMA, and a qualified professional** before remitting.

**Primary sources**
1. https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/property-taxes/municipal-accommodation-tax  
2. https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/comm-update-Municipal-Accommodation-Tax-%28MAT%29-Implementation-for-STR.pdf  
3. https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/taxes-MAT-Information-Session-Short-Term-Rental-Operators-june222026.pdf  
4. https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2022-08/22-209.pdf  
5. https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/starting-small-business/business-licences/short-term-rentals  
6. https://hamilton.orhma.com/login  

Not tax or legal advice. Verify on hamilton.ca/mat.