Yes, Florida has a sales tax, and it applies to most purchases
Florida charges a state sales tax of 6 percent on most retail purchases. When you buy something in a store or online, that 6 percent gets added to your bill at checkout. However, your actual total tax rate is usually higher because counties add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate. Depending on which county you're in, you'll pay between 6 and 7.5 percent total.
The state collects this tax and distributes it to counties and municipalities. You don't send in a separate form as a shopper — the retailer collects it from you and sends it to the state. Understanding what is and isn't taxed in Florida matters because some everyday items are exempt, and knowing the difference can help you budget accurately.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but your county adds 0.5 to 1.5 percent more, so you'll pay between 6 and 7.5 percent total depending on where you shop.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are not taxed in Florida, but prepared foods and over-the-counter drugs are.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers are subject to Florida sales tax if the seller has a physical presence in the state or meets federal economic nexus thresholds.
- Tax rates vary by county, so the same item costs a different amount in sales tax in Miami than it does in Jacksonville.
How county and local taxes add to the state rate
Florida's 6 percent state rate is just the starting point. Each of the state's 67 counties sets its own additional sales tax, called a discretionary sales surtax. This local rate ranges from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent depending on the county. When you make a purchase, both the state and county taxes explore, so your total rate is the combination of both.
For example, Miami-Dade County adds 1 percent to the state rate, bringing the total to 7 percent. Broward County also adds 1 percent. But Duval County (Jacksonville) adds only 1.5 percent, making the total 7.5 percent. Some counties add 0.5 percent, which means shoppers there pay 6.5 percent total. The county where the retailer is located determines which local rate applies, not where you live.
Cities within counties do not add their own separate sales tax on top of the county rate. The county rate is the local portion you see on your receipt.
What is and isn't taxed in Florida
Not everything you buy in Florida is subject to sales tax. Groceries — unprepared food you take home and cook yourself — are not taxed. This includes items like bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared foods are taxed. If you buy a rotisserie chicken from a grocery store deli, a sandwich from a restaurant, or food from a food truck, you pay sales tax on it.
Prescription medications are not taxed in Florida, but over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are. Medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment is also exempt. Clothing and shoes are taxed, with no special exemption in Florida.
Services are generally not taxed unless they're specifically listed as taxable. Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing work are not subject to sales tax. However, some services bundled with products — like installation or delivery — may be taxed depending on how the retailer structures the charge.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you order something online from a company based outside Florida, you may still owe Florida sales tax. The rule depends on whether the seller has economic nexus in Florida. A company has economic nexus if it has a warehouse, office, or employees in the state, or if it meets federal thresholds for sales volume (currently $100,000 in annual sales or 200 transactions in a calendar year).
Large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have physical operations in Florida, so they collect and remit Florida sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller sellers may not collect the tax at checkout, but Florida law technically requires you to report and pay the tax yourself on your state tax return — though most individual shoppers do not do this.
If a retailer doesn't collect sales tax at checkout, you are not required to track it down and pay it yourself as a consumer. The responsibility for collecting and remitting the tax rests with the seller.
County-by-county sales tax rates
Because each county sets its own local rate, the total sales tax you pay depends on your location. Here are the combined state and local rates for some of Florida's largest counties:
| County | Local Rate | Total Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 1% | 7% |
| Broward | 1% | 7% |
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Orange (Orlando) | 0.5% | 6.5% |
| Duval (Jacksonville) | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Polk | 1% | 7% |
| Pinellas (St. Petersburg) | 1.5% | 7.5% |
If you shop in a different county than where you live, the rate at the point of sale applies. A purchase in Orange County is taxed at 6.5 percent even if you live in Hillsborough County, where the rate is 7.5 percent.
How to find your county's exact sales tax rate
The Florida Department of Revenue maintains a complete list of all county and local sales tax rates on its website. You can search by county name or ZIP code to find the exact combined rate where you shop. Rates can change if a county votes to adjust its local surtax, though this happens infrequently.
If you're shopping online and the retailer's checkout shows a different tax rate than you expected, check which county the retailer's warehouse or fulfillment center is located in. That location's rate is what applies, not the rate in your county. Some retailers allow you to enter your shipping address to see the correct tax before you complete your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?
No, unprepared groceries like bread, milk, meat, and vegetables are not taxed. Prepared foods — including deli items, restaurant meals, and food from food trucks — are taxed at the full sales tax rate.
What's the difference between state and local sales tax in Florida?
Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent and applies everywhere in the state. Each county then adds its own local tax between 0.5 and 1.5 percent. Your total bill includes both rates combined.
Do I have to pay sales tax on online orders shipped to Florida?
If the online seller has a physical presence in Florida or meets federal sales thresholds, they must collect and remit Florida sales tax. Large retailers like Amazon do this automatically. Smaller sellers may not, but the legal responsibility to collect rests with the seller, not you.
Are prescription medications taxed in Florida?
No, prescription medications are exempt from sales tax. Over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements are taxed at the full rate.
Why do different counties have different sales tax rates?
Florida allows each county to set its own local sales tax rate to fund county services and infrastructure. Counties vote on whether to add a local surtax and at what percentage, so rates vary based on each county's decisions and needs.