FAQ’s – Business Owners

Yes, all tourism businesses operating in Canyon Lake are required to obtain permits from the Water Oriented Recreation District (W.O.R.D.). Whether you are operating short-term lodging (less than 30 consecutive days), whitewater/fishing guide services, renting water-oriented recreation equipment on the river/lake, camping, day use, parking for water access, boat slip rentals, and storage, securing the necessary permit is mandatory to ensure compliance with local regulations. For more information on how to apply for a permit, please contact W.O.R.D. directly or visit our permits section Tax Permit Form – WORD (wordcc.com).

A WORD Permit allows you to legally operate in the District and collect fees for performing the following rentals and/or services: camping, day use, parking for water access, fishing tackle, renting water-oriented recreation equipment on the river /lake, whitewater/fishing guide services, lodging less than 30 consecutive days, boat slip rentals and storage, and more. For more information contact us.

Yes! If you are a first time applicant it is free. Submit a WORD application, and read through the policies and procedures. WORD has signs and mesh bags available for you with the Water Laws printed on them if needed by your business. If you have more questions, please stop by our office. We are happy to help!

WORD tax is a user fee imposed on visitors of the District, and collected by the individual/ facility performing the services. A tax return is then remitted to WORD by the business/ individual and is due no later than twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar quarter.

The fees collected from visitors are used for services such as regular clean up along the river, lake and popular roadways, law enforcement and safety, community education, public health and sanitation, and much more.

Businesses must file a tax return each quarter. A tax return is due no later than twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar quarter. In the event the 20th falls on a weekend or Federal Holiday with no post service, the return is due (in hand, online, or postmarked) on the following business day.

Yes. Businesses/ individuals with zero revenue for the reporting period are still required to submit a tax return. If there are no taxes to remit, there is no cost to submit a return online. Late penalties are imposed on all tax returns received after the due date.

Returns received or postmarked after the due date will incur a $25 late filing fee PLUS a 5% late penalty if it is before the 20th day of the following month of the taxing reporting period, OR a 10% late penalty if it is after the 20th day of the following month of the taxing reporting period AND the permit is revoked. Once permit is revoked, a reinstatement fee PLUS penalties and interest are due.

No. If you are inside the New Braunfel’s city limits you are not in the WORD district, and therefore do not have to remit taxes to WORD. However, if you have multiple properties, and some ARE within the WORD district those properties require a WORD tax.

Click HERE for a map of the District.

Send WORD a written request stating that you are no longer collecting revenue, the last day of collected revenue, and that you would like to close the permit with a specific end date. Once all your taxes have been remitted, WORD will close your permit.