A Rate That Pays for Stadiums
Arlington's sales tax is 8.25 percent: 6.25 percent to the state and 2 percent to the city, split into 1 percent general, a quarter-cent for street maintenance, half a cent for the stadium venue project and a quarter-cent for economic development. Arlington does not belong to a transit authority, so the share that goes to transit in Dallas or Fort Worth funds other local purposes here. BOMCAS files sales tax for Arlington businesses remotely.
Statewide permits and taxable services appear on the Texas sales and use tax page; this one covers Arlington's venue taxes.
Venue Taxes
Voters approved the half-cent sales tax, a 2 percent hotel tax and a 5 percent car rental tax to pay for AT&T Stadium. The stadium's bonds were paid off in 2025, but the taxes continue to pay for the Globe Life Field project approved in 2016. For Globe Life Field, the city also levies a 10 percent tax on event tickets and a $3 tax on parking. Ticket sellers and parking operators at the ballpark must collect and report these taxes in addition to state sales tax.
Admissions and Amusement
Admission to games, concerts, amusement parks and other entertainment is taxable in Texas at the combined rate. Season tickets, suite licences and packages that combine admission with food and parking need careful splitting so each part is taxed correctly. Some nonprofit events and school events are exempt. Promoters coming from out of state for a single event at an Arlington venue must hold a permit and collect tax.
Parking
Parking in a lot or garage is a taxable service in Texas, and residents and businesses who rent out spaces near the stadiums on game days are technically required to collect sales tax. Parking at Globe Life Field also carries the city's $3 parking tax. Businesses that offer parking with another service, such as a restaurant valet, need to know when the parking charge is taxable.
Car Rentals and Hotels
Short-term vehicle rentals carry the state's 10 percent motor vehicle rental tax plus Arlington's 5 percent venue tax. Hotel stays of less than 30 days carry 15 percent: 6 percent state, 7 percent city and 2 percent venue tax. Hotels with 75 or more rooms also pay a 2 percent assessment to the Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District, which funds tourism promotion. Short-term rental hosts owe the same hotel taxes unless the platform collects them.
Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants and bars collect sales tax on meals and soft drinks, and permit holders collect mixed beverage sales tax at 8.25 percent and pay the 6.7 percent mixed beverage gross receipts tax. Event-day sales spikes should be reviewed for correct reporting periods.
Manufacturers and Suppliers
Automotive suppliers can buy machinery and equipment used in manufacturing tax free, along with materials that become part of the product. Maintenance supplies, office equipment and tools not directly used in production are taxable. Purchases from out-of-state vendors that did not collect tax owe use tax at the Arlington rate.
Pop-Up Vendors and Food Trucks
Food trucks, merchandise tents and pop-up sellers around the stadiums and at fan festivals must hold a sales tax permit and collect tax at the Arlington rate for sales made there, even when they are based in another city. Sellers who attend only a few events a year can obtain a temporary permit. Prepared food is taxable, and so are most souvenirs and apparel. Vendors who sell under a festival organiser's umbrella should confirm in writing who is collecting and reporting the tax.
What We Handle
- Permits and local codes.
- Monthly or quarterly returns.
- Ticket, parking and venue tax reports.
- Manufacturing exemption certificates.
- Hotel and mixed beverage returns.
Arlington Sales and Use Tax Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Arlington?
8.25 percent, including half a cent for the stadium venue project.
Are tickets at Globe Life Field taxed by the city?
Yes. The city levies a 10 percent ticket tax and a $3 parking tax there, in addition to state sales tax.
Do I need to collect tax if I rent parking on game days?
Parking is a taxable service in Texas, so sales tax generally applies.
How much is hotel tax in Arlington?
15 percent, plus a 2 percent improvement district assessment at hotels with 75 or more rooms.
Talk to BOMCAS About Sales and Use Tax in Arlington
Collections should match the books and the business return. Event staff are paid through payroll, missed collections can be handled under late filing, expansion is a planning matter, owners file personal returns and foreign promoters raise cross-border issues. Statewide detail is on our Texas pages on company returns, household returns, monthly bookkeeping, payroll and TWC, tax planning, late filings and cross-border matters, with a summary in the Texas overview.
Send BOMCAS a short note about your Arlington business or household and we will reply with what we would look at first and what we need for a quote. Use the contact page or the form below, call 780-667-5250 or email info@bomcas.ca. All Arlington services are listed on the Arlington overview. This page is general information, not advice for your situation.