Fort Walton Beach property tax: where it goes
A Fort Walton Beach house pays 1.374% of its taxable value in property tax. For a house at $321,800 of market value with the homestead exemption, that's about $3,855 a year.
Tax is levied on assessed value set by the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser, less exemptions; after the first year a home receives a homestead exemption and is assessed at just value, its assessment cannot rise more than 3% or the change in CPI, whichever is less (Save Our Homes).
The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's 2026 millage table and the School District's site could not be read (both block scripted access). The school rate (5.3270 mills) is the 2026 proposed rate the City of Destin's adopted FY 2027 budget lists (Sept. 1, 2026); a final rate cannot be higher than the proposed one. The City rate (4.5600) was adopted on Sept. 29, 2026; the County (3.8308) and NWFWMD (0.0201) rates are from their adopted FY 2026-27 budgets.
Pay or manage it
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $321,800 |
|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Walton Beach (FY 2026-27) | 0.456% | $1,233 |
| Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (countywide) | 0.3831% | $1,036 |
| Okaloosa County School District (required local effort, discretionary operating and capital outlay) (schools) | 0.5327% | $1,581 |
| Northwest Florida Water Management District | 0.002% | $5 |
| Total | 1.374% | $3,855 |
2026 tax year (FY 2026-27): City of Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County and NWFWMD adopted rates; School District rate as listed in the City of Destin's FY 2027 budget. Exemptions applied: Homestead exemption (first $25,000) ($25,000); Additional homestead exemption for non-school taxes (up to $26,411; the full amount at an assessed value of $75,000 or more) ($26,411).
Ways to pay less
- Pay your tax bill in November. The Okaloosa County Tax Collector gives 4% off for paying in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February; the gross amount is due by March 31. How: Pay in November for the largest discount.
- Quarterly installment plan. Taxpayers whose estimated taxes are over $100 and not paid through escrow can pay in four installments; the first installment is discounted 6% if postmarked by June 30. How: Return the Installment Plan application to the Okaloosa County Tax Collector before May 1.
- Veterans with a service-connected disability: exemptions. Honorably discharged Florida veterans disabled 10% or more because of misfortune or while serving during wartime may get a $5,000 reduction in assessed value; those with a service-related total and permanent disability may get a total exemption from ad valorem taxes on their homestead. How: File the required forms and applications with the county property appraiser.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Nov 1 (in 8 days) | Property tax statements are mailed on or before November 1; paying in November takes 4% off (3% in December, 2% in January, 1% in February). |
| Mar 1 | Deadline to submit the homestead exemption application (Form DR-501) to the county property appraiser for that tax year. |
| Mar 31 | The gross property tax amount is due. |
| Apr 1 | Real estate taxes become delinquent on April 1 of each year. |
| Before May 1 | Installment Plan application forms are due to the Tax Collector's office prior to May 1 (in the office or online). |
Sources
- City of Fort Walton Beach Council Sept. 29, 2026 minutes (final millage 4.5600)
- Florida Department of Revenue municipal public service tax database
- Okaloosa County Property Appraiser 2025 final millage (archived copy)
- City of Destin FY 2027 adopted budget (millage rates)
- Okaloosa County Tax Collector: Real Estate Taxes
- Florida Department of Revenue PT-113: homestead exemption
- Florida Department of Revenue PT-111: other property tax benefits
- Pinellas County Property Appraiser: homestead exemption (2026 amount)
- Florida Statutes s. 166.231 (municipal public service tax)
Checked October 21, 2026. Every number here comes from the public sources listed, matched by our checker.
Rates change every year; this page shows when it was last checked. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.