NICEVILLE, Fla. — Property owners in Okaloosa County who are filing for property tax exemptions for the first time must submit their applications by March 1 for the 2026 tax year.
According to Mack Busbee, Okaloosa County Property Appraiser, the March 1 deadline applies to all new exemption applications, including new homestead exemptions and any exemption not previously approved.
The deadline applies to counties statewide.
Florida law requires that applications for all new property tax exemptions be filed on or before March 1 of the year for which the exemption is requested. Property owners who fail to apply by that date waive the exemption for the entire tax year and must wait until the following year to apply.
In Okaloosa County, initial applications may be submitted either online or in person. Walk-in applications are accepted during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no appointment is required.
Florida law provides a wide range of property tax exemptions and reductions. Common exemptions include:
- Homestead exemption
- Homestead exemption portability
- Additional exemption for persons 65 and older
- Widow or widower exemption
- Exemption for blind persons
- Disability exemption
- Totally and permanently disabled persons
- Disabled ex-servicemember or surviving spouse
- Totally and permanently disabled veteran or surviving spouse
- Disabled veterans confined to wheelchairs
- Surviving spouse of a veteran who died while on active duty
- Surviving spouse of a first responder who died in the line of duty
- Totally and permanently disabled first responder or surviving spouse
- Veterans age 65 and older with combat-related disability
- Deployed servicemembers
- Religious, literary, scientific, or charitable exemptions
- Hospital, nursing home, and special care facility exemptions
- Charter school facilities
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Once approved, most exemptions are automatically renewed each year by the Property Appraiser’s Office. Property owners who already have an approved exemption generally do not need to reapply unless the exemption requires annual renewal or there has been a change in eligibility.
The March 1 deadline is especially important for property owners filing a homestead exemption for the first time, as well as those applying for new exemptions related to age, disability, veteran status, surviving spouse status, or other qualifying circumstances.
State law permits late-filed applications under limited extenuating circumstances. Property owners who miss the March 1 deadline must submit a written explanation detailing why they were unable to apply on time, and approval of late applications is not guaranteed.
Additional information about exemptions, eligibility requirements, and online filing is available through the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s Office website.
Residents with questions may contact the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s Office at (850) 651-7240 or (850) 689-5900.
Property owners may apply in person at either of the following locations:
- Shalimar office: 1250 Eglin Parkway N., Suite 201, Shalimar, FL 32579
- Crestview office: 302 N. Wilson St., Suite 201, Crestview, FL 32536
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