Florida has a sales tax of 6 percent on most purchases, plus local add-ons that vary by county
Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent. Most counties add their own local tax on top of that, ranging from 0.5 to 2 percent depending on where you live. Your total sales tax bill is the state rate plus your county's rate combined.
The tax applies to tangible goods — things you can touch and take home. Groceries, clothing, electronics, furniture, and gasoline all get taxed. Services like haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing do not, though some service-related items do (like the parts in a repair).
You pay sales tax at the register when you buy something in Florida. Online purchases are taxed the same way as in-store purchases if the seller has a physical presence in Florida or meets federal thresholds for remote sales tax collection.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's base sales tax is 6 percent, but your actual rate depends on which county you are in because most counties add 0.5 to 2 percent on top.
- Sales tax applies to physical goods like groceries, clothing, and electronics, but not to services like haircuts or repairs unless the service includes taxable materials.
- You pay sales tax at checkout in stores and on most online purchases shipped to Florida addresses.
- Some items are exempt from sales tax entirely, including prescription medications, certain medical equipment, and agricultural products used for farming.
What Your County's Sales Tax Rate Actually Is
The 6 percent state rate is only the floor. Your real sales tax depends on your county. Alachua County adds 1.5 percent, making the total 7.5 percent. Broward County adds 1 percent for a total of 7 percent. Miami-Dade County adds 1 percent as well. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) adds 1.5 percent. Pinellas County (St. Petersburg area) adds 1.5 percent.
Some counties add less. Union County, one of the smallest, adds only 0.5 percent. Orange County (Orlando area) adds 0.5 percent. The variation exists because counties use local sales tax revenue for schools, infrastructure, and public services, so they set their own rates within state limits.
If you move between counties or shop in a different county than you live in, you pay that county's rate at checkout. The tax is calculated where the sale happens, not where you live.
Items That Are Taxed and Items That Are Not
Most physical items are taxed: groceries at the supermarket, clothes, shoes, books, toys, furniture, appliances, and tools. Gas and diesel fuel are taxed. Restaurant meals are taxed. Prepared foods from a deli counter are taxed, but raw ingredients you buy to cook at home are not.
Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax in Florida. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — wheelchairs, walkers, diabetic supplies — is exempt. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are taxed.
Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, a car repair, plumbing work, and house cleaning are all service transactions and do not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a product as part of that service — like paint during a painting job or parts during a repair — the product portion may be taxed depending on how the invoice is structured.
Agricultural products used directly for farming are exempt. Seeds, fertilizer, and farm equipment used in production agriculture do not get taxed. But if you buy seeds for a home garden, that is taxed.
How Sales Tax Works on Online and Out-of-State Purchases
If you order something online and have it shipped to a Florida address, you pay Florida sales tax at your county's rate. This applies whether the seller is based in Florida or somewhere else. Large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target collect and pay Florida sales tax on orders shipped here.
Smaller online sellers may not collect sales tax automatically. If you buy from an out-of-state seller who does not collect Florida tax, you are technically responsible for paying "use tax" — which is the same rate as sales tax — when you file your state income tax return. In practice, most individuals do not report these purchases, but the obligation exists.
If you buy something while traveling outside Florida and bring it back, you do not owe additional tax. Sales tax is paid where the purchase happens.
Sales Tax on Vehicles, Boats, and High-Value Items
When you buy a car in Florida, sales tax is calculated on the purchase price and collected at the time of registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The tax rate is your county's combined rate. If you trade in a vehicle, the sales tax is calculated on the net amount (purchase price minus trade-in value), not the full purchase price.
Boats and aircraft follow the same rule — sales tax is due when you register them with the state. The rate depends on your county of residence.
If you buy a vehicle out of state and register it in Florida, you owe Florida sales tax on it. The DMV will not issue a registration without proof that tax has been paid or collected.
Tax-Free Shopping Days and Special Exemptions
Florida does not have an annual statewide tax-free shopping day like some states do. However, the state occasionally runs back-to-school tax-free periods in August, when school supplies and clothing under a certain price are exempt. These are announced by the Department of Revenue and typically last one week.
Certain organizations are exempt from sales tax when buying for their operations. Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies can purchase items tax-free with proper documentation, but this exemption does not explore to individual shoppers.
If you are a Florida resident over 65 and buying a home, you may be may be able to access for a homestead property tax exemption, but this is a property tax benefit, not a sales tax benefit. It does not reduce what you pay at the register.
How to Find Your Exact Sales Tax Rate
The Florida Department of Revenue maintains a county-by-county breakdown of sales tax rates on its website. You can search by county name to find the exact combined state and local rate where you live or shop.
Your receipt always shows the sales tax amount and the rate applied. If you are unsure whether something should have been taxed, the receipt is the first place to check.
If you run a business in Florida and need to collect sales tax from customers, you must register with the Department of Revenue and file returns monthly or quarterly depending on your sales volume. The department provides forms and instructions for business owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?
Most groceries are not taxed — milk, bread, vegetables, meat, and canned goods are all exempt. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and items from a hot deli counter are taxed. Candy, soda, and other junk food are also taxed because they are not considered groceries.
What is the difference between sales tax and use tax?
Sales tax is collected by the seller at the point of purchase. Use tax is a tax you owe on items you buy from out-of-state sellers who do not collect Florida tax. It is the same rate as sales tax, but you are responsible for reporting and paying it yourself, usually on your state income tax return.
Do I pay sales tax when I buy something online from another state?
If the seller has a physical location in Florida or meets federal thresholds for remote sales, they must collect Florida sales tax. If they do not, you technically owe use tax, though enforcement on individual purchases is minimal. Large retailers almost always collect it automatically.
Is sales tax included in the price shown on the shelf?
No. The price on the shelf or online is the pre-tax price. Sales tax is added at checkout. This is why your total bill is higher than the labeled price.
Can I get a refund of sales tax if I return something?
Yes. When you return an item for a refund, the sales tax you paid is refunded along with the purchase price. If you exchange the item for something else, tax is recalculated on the new item's price.