Discounts For Early Tax Payments!

Okaloosa County property owners can receive a 4% discount on their property taxes if paid during the month of November! Tax Collector Ben Anderson says, “Last November, over 80,000 property owners took advantage of the November payment discount, resulting in a total savings of over $7.46 million.” The final day to receive the discount is typically November 30th, however, this year that day falls on the Saturday following the Thanksgiving Holiday. Anderson states, “When the discount deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, State Statutes allow the discount deadline to be extended one business day, or in this case until Monday, December 2, 2019.”

According to Tax Agent, Samantha Terrell, over 80% of the total tax roll is collected in the month of November, equaling nearly $186 million dollars. She adds, “The total 2019 Property Tax Roll is $255,163,409.30. On October 31st, our office mailed 123,581 bills, including notices for tangible personal property. Our responsibility is to collect these tax dollars on behalf of the taxing authorities for the purpose of funding the operations of local governments and fire districts.” For customers planning to drop off payments towards the end of November, the Tax Collector’s Office will have team members staged in their branch office lobbies on November 26th, 27th and December 2nd in order to expedite the process. Although the discount period is extended through December 2nd, payments being mailed must be postmarked on or before November 30th to receive the 4% discount. Anderson suggests, “Instead of mailing or dropping off payments, taxpayers can quickly and securely pay them online at OkaloosaTax.com. Paying online with an eCheck carries no additional charge and you still receive the full 4% discount, making it the most efficient way to pay.” All Okaloosa County Tax Collector Offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving. Although offices will be closed for the Holidays, customers can still process a majority of transactions via their website OkaloosaTax.com.