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Taxes›Florida›Okaloosa County›Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

Rental conditions are recorded in Fort Walton Beach
Check the rules for your address, zoning, and permit with the relevant authority before listing.
Find published guidance for your Fort Walton Beach address
Check published permit and tax guidance for Fort Walton Beach.

What you need to do in Fort Walton Beach

Checked against the source
  1. To do
    Meet the local rental conditions

    Fort Walton Beach allows short-term rentals with conditions, such as zoning, caps or owner occupancy. Check that your address qualifies before you list.

  2. To do
    Get the Fort Walton Beach short-term rental license or registration

    The record does not state the fee or term. The licensing office lists both. Rule: Ordinance 2181.

  3. To do
    Register for your Florida sales tax account

    Sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals are always reported and paid to the Florida Department of Revenue (Form DR-15), so you need a Department sales tax account. Confirm registration and any county tourist tax account before renting.

    State source

  4. To do
    Collect and remit the 6% Okaloosa County occupancy tax yourself

    The record says booking platforms do not collect it, so you add it to every booking, platform and direct, and pay it to the authority.

  5. To do
    File monthly returns

    The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

Get a reminder before each monthly Fort Walton Beach return is due

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What to know.

The published guide for Fort Walton Beach lists 6% county occupancy tax. The state table lists a 6% Florida state sales tax in addition. County discretionary sales surtax and local transient rental taxes may apply in addition. Total for a direct booking: 12% (6% Okaloosa County occupancy tax + 6% Florida state sales tax). The record also lists a district levy that applies only inside its district: 6% effective Mar 1 2025 in both original TDT district and Expansion District (effectively countywide). Confirm whether your address is in it. State registration applies even when a platform collects the tax: Florida sales tax account. A license or registration is required.

At a glance.

County tax
6%
State tax
6%
Total for a direct booking
12%
License
Required
Local filing
You collect and remit
SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Okaloosa County: Recorded exemptions

Applies to the rental or lease of living, sleeping, or housekeeping accommodations for a term of six months or less; the local tax is in addition to the 6% state sales tax and any applicable discretionary sales surtax (FL DOR DR-15TDT, R. 10/26).

Okaloosa County: Recorded remittance instructions

GovOS/MUNIRevs portal: https://okaloosatouristtax.munirevs.com

Okaloosa County: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Monthly.

Okaloosa County: County tax applicability

The county tax is shown separately from municipal tax.

Source for these notes: okaloosaclerk.com: tourist development tax

Platform tax collection guidance for Fort Walton Beach

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
VrboPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
Booking.comPlatform collectsYou collect and remit
DirectYou collect and remitYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Get the required license or registration

    Apply for the required license or registration with the licensing office before you list.

  • Collection of the 6% county tax

    You collect and remit this tax using the linked filing instructions.

  • File your tax returns

    File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

  • Florida sales tax account

    Sales tax and any discretionary sales surtax on transient rentals are always reported and paid to the Florida Department of Revenue (Form DR-15), so you need a Department sales tax account. Confirm registration and any county tourist tax account before renting.

  • Check the state tax requirements

    Use the linked state tax instructions to register and file.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
Okaloosa County occupancy tax6%
Source
Source linked
Florida state sales tax6%
Source
Source linked
Florida sales tax accountState requirement
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordRequired
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

Fort Walton Beach STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my Fort Walton Beach occupancy taxes?

You collect and remit this tax for Airbnb and direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in Fort Walton Beach?

A license or registration is required.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.