Finance

The Finance Department handles the day-to-day accounting issues for the Town as well as issuing beer & wine privilege licenses, dog licenses, and other financial issues related to the operation of the Town Government. The Finance Department is also responsible for all aspects of utility billing for the residents and businesses of Surf City.

Property Tax Information 

Information regarding escrow/mortgage accounts, transfer of ownership of real property, interest, failure to pay, bankruptcies/closing, installments, and due date. 

The Surf City tax office receives the tax assessment files from Pender and Onslow Counties to create the Surf City tax bills.  The information we receive reflects the owner as of January 1st.  If you purchased the property in Surf City after January 1st, please contact the Town of Surf City Tax office and ask for Windy or Donna.  You can reach us at 910-328-4131 or wdavis@surfcitync.gov and dreece@surfcitync.gov.  

Accommodation Taxes 

G.S. 105-164.4(a)(3) states that “Operators of hotels, motels, tourist homes, tourist camps, and similar type businesses and persons who rent private residences and cottages to transients are considered retailers.  A tax at the general rate of tax levied on the gross receipts derived by these retailers from the rental of any rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished to transients for consideration.  This tax does not apply to any private residence or cottage that is rented for less than 15 days in a calendar year or to any room, lodging, or accommodation supplied to the same person for a period of 90 or more continuous days.

The following charges are considered to be included in gross receipts derived from rentals of rooms and accommodations and are subject to tax:  extra person charge, in-room safe rental, pet fee, damage fee, smoking fee, early/late departure fee, maid/cleaning fee, linen fee, reservation fee, credit card fee, resort club fee, cribs and rollaway beds, rentals of or charges for refrigerators and microwave ovens.

The Town of Surf City has a 3% tax on the rentals which is paid to the Town each month.  For the rental units in Pender County, there is also a 3% tax on the rentals that are paid to the Town each month.   Surf City does not collect the fee for the Onslow County tax on rentals.  The Town’s portion of the 3% is used for tourism-related activities.  The Pender County tax goes to beach nourishment projects.

The tax is added to the rental cost of the unit and passed on to the tenant/renter.  Any person who willfully attempts in any manner to evade the accommodation tax, who willfully fails to pay the tax, or file the return will be subject to penalties and legal action as governed by applicable General Statue.

 If anyone has any questions regarding this tax, please call our office at 910-328-4131.

Please download and complete the form below.
 Accommodation Tax Form