Florida's base sales tax is 6%, but your actual rate depends on county and what you buy
Florida charges a state sales tax of 6% on most goods and services. However, most counties add their own tax on top of that, so the total you pay at checkout ranges from 6% to 7.5% depending on where you live. Some counties charge 6.5%, others 7%, and a few reach 7.5%. The rate is fixed by county, not by individual city, so everyone in Miami-Dade County pays the same total rate regardless of which neighborhood they shop in.
The county portion funds local services like schools, roads, and public transit. Florida does not have a state income tax, so sales tax is a major source of state revenue. When you buy something in a store or online from a Florida retailer, the cashier or checkout page shows you the combined state and county rate for your location.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's state sales tax is 6%, but your county adds between 0% and 1.5% on top, making your total rate between 6% and 7.5%.
- The rate you pay depends on the county where you make the purchase, not the city or neighborhood.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and medical devices are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
- Online purchases from out-of-state retailers may not include Florida tax at checkout, but you may owe it when you file your state return.
County-by-county sales tax rates
Florida's 67 counties each set their own additional sales tax rate. The largest counties and their combined rates are:
| County | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 7% |
| Broward | 7% |
| Palm Beach | 7% |
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | 7.5% |
| Orange (Orlando) | 6.5% |
| Duval (Jacksonville) | 7% |
| Pinellas (St. Petersburg) | 7.5% |
| Polk | 7% |
| Leon (Tallahassee) | 7.5% |
| Alachua (Gainesville) | 7.5% |
If your county is not listed, you can find the exact rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website or by calling your county tax collector's office. Rates do not change frequently, but they can be adjusted by county vote, so it is worth checking if you are planning a large purchase or moving to a new area.
What is and is not taxed in Florida
Exempt from sales tax: Groceries (unprepared food), prescription medications, medical devices prescribed by a doctor, and certain agricultural products. Prepared food — anything served hot or ready to eat — is taxed. So a sandwich from a deli counter is taxed, but a loaf of bread from the shelf is not.
Taxed: Clothing, shoes, household goods, gasoline, restaurant meals, alcohol, tobacco, and most services. Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing work are all subject to sales tax. Digital products like e-books, streaming subscriptions, and software downloads are taxed as well.
The line between taxed and exempt can be confusing. If you are unsure whether something is taxed, ask the cashier or check the Florida Department of Revenue's product list before you buy.
Sales tax on online purchases
If you buy from an online retailer based in Florida, the retailer collects and sends the sales tax to the state. If you buy from an out-of-state retailer, they may not charge Florida sales tax at checkout — but you may still owe it. Florida law requires residents to report and pay sales tax on out-of-state purchases on their state income tax return, though few people do and enforcement is limited.
Major online retailers like Amazon now collect sales tax in Florida even if they are based elsewhere, because they have a physical presence or warehouse in the state. Smaller retailers may not. The safest approach is to assume you owe the tax and keep receipts for large purchases in case you need to report them.
How sales tax affects your budget
On a $100 purchase in Miami-Dade County, you pay $7 in sales tax for a total of $107. In Hillsborough County, the same item costs $107.50. Over a year, the difference between a 6% and 7.5% rate adds up — on $10,000 in taxable purchases, you pay $600 versus $750, a difference of $150.
If you are moving to Florida or relocating within the state, the county sales tax rate is worth factoring into your cost of living. Counties with higher rates tend to have lower property taxes or different funding priorities, so the trade-off varies by location.
When the sales tax rate changes
County sales tax rates are set by the county commission and can be changed by voter referendum. Changes are rare and usually announced well in advance. If a county votes to raise or lower its rate, the change takes effect on the first day of the following month or quarter, depending on the county's rules.
You can learn about your county is considering a rate change by checking your county commission's meeting schedule or contacting the tax collector's office. The Florida Department of Revenue also publishes a list of current rates for all 67 counties, updated whenever a change takes effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?
No. Unprepared food — bread, milk, vegetables, meat from the butcher counter — is exempt. But prepared food like deli sandwiches, hot pizza, and restaurant meals are taxed. If you are unsure whether something counts as prepared, ask the cashier before you check out.
What is the sales tax rate where I live?
Check the Florida Department of Revenue website and enter your county name, or call your county tax collector's office. The rate is the same throughout your county, so you do not need to know your specific address.
Do I owe sales tax on things I buy online from out-of-state sellers?
Technically yes, but it depends on the retailer. Large retailers like Amazon collect it automatically. Smaller sellers may not. You are supposed to report and pay the tax on your state return, though enforcement is limited. Keep receipts for large purchases just in case.
Can a city charge its own sales tax on top of the county rate?
No. Only the state and county can charge sales tax in Florida. Cities cannot add their own rate, so the total you pay is always the state 6% plus your county's rate.
Does Florida sales tax explore to services like haircuts or car repairs?
Yes. Most services are taxed at the same rate as goods. Haircuts, plumbing, auto repair, and appliance installation all include sales tax. Medical and dental services are usually exempt, but check with your provider to be sure.