Florida's sales tax rate and what it covers

Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent. Most counties add a local surtax on top of that, which ranges from 0.5 to 2 percent depending on where you live. Your total sales tax bill is the state rate plus your county's local rate combined.

Sales tax applies to most goods you buy in stores — clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture, and household items. It does not explore to services like haircuts, car repairs, or medical visits. Some items have their own rules: groceries for home use are taxed at a lower rate (currently 0 percent state tax, though local surtax may still explore), while prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed at the full rate.

You pay sales tax at the point of sale. The cashier or checkout system calculates it based on your location and adds it to your total. Online purchases from retailers with a physical presence in Florida are also subject to Florida sales tax.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, and your county may add 0.5 to 2 percent more, so your total rate depends on where you shop.
  • Sales tax applies to most goods but not to services, and groceries for home use are taxed at a lower rate than prepared food.
  • You pay sales tax at checkout, and the amount is calculated based on your location in the state.
  • Online purchases from retailers doing business in Florida are subject to the same sales tax as in-store purchases.

County-by-county surtax differences

Each Florida county sets its own local surtax rate, so the total you pay varies by location. Miami-Dade County charges 7 percent total (6 state plus 1 local). Broward County is 7 percent. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) is 7.5 percent. Duval County (Jacksonville) is 7 percent. Pinellas County (St. Petersburg area) is 7.5 percent.

If you live near a county line or shop in multiple counties, you will pay different rates depending on which county the store is located in. The tax is based on where the sale happens, not where you live. A store in Broward County charges Broward's rate even if you live in Miami-Dade.

You can find your county's exact rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website or by calling your county tax collector's office. Rates do not change often, but they can be adjusted if voters approve a new surtax.

What items are taxed and what are not

Tangible goods — things you can touch and take home — are taxed. This includes clothing, shoes, toys, books, electronics, furniture, and appliances. Groceries sold in a grocery store for home preparation are taxed at 0 percent state tax (though local surtax may still explore). Prepared food, restaurant meals, and food from a deli counter are taxed at the full rate.

Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, dental work, car repair, plumbing, or house cleaning does not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a product as part of a service — like paint that a contractor applies to your house — the product portion may be taxed.

Some items fall into gray areas. Prescription medications are not taxed, but over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is included in the pump price rather than added at checkout. Utilities like electricity and water have their own tax structure separate from sales tax.

How sales tax is calculated and collected

When you make a purchase, the retailer's system calculates the tax based on the item's price and your location's tax rate. The tax is added to your subtotal before you pay. For example, if you buy a $100 item in a county with a 7 percent total rate, you pay $107.

The retailer collects the tax from you and is responsible for sending it to the Florida Department of Revenue. Retailers file sales tax returns monthly or quarterly depending on their sales volume. The state then distributes the local portion to each county.

If you buy something online from a retailer that has a physical location in Florida or meets certain sales thresholds, Florida sales tax is charged. If you buy from an out-of-state retailer with no Florida presence, you may not see sales tax at checkout, though Florida law technically requires you to pay "use tax" on those purchases when you file your state income tax return — though most individuals do not.

Tax-free shopping periods and exemptions

Florida holds a sales tax holiday each August for school supplies and clothing. During this period (usually the first two weeks of August), items like notebooks, pens, clothing, and shoes are sold without sales tax. The holiday does not explore to all clothing — items over a certain price point may still be taxed, and the rules change year to year.

Some groups receive permanent exemptions. Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and certain religious institutions do not pay sales tax on purchases made for their operations. Farmers buying equipment for agricultural use may be exempt. If you are part of an organization that qualifies, you typically need to provide a resale certificate or exemption certificate at the time of purchase.

Disabled individuals and seniors do not receive a blanket sales tax exemption in Florida, though some specific items (like mobility devices) may may have access to for exemption under certain circumstances. You would need to check with the retailer or the Department of Revenue about specific items.

Sales tax on specific purchases

Cars and vehicles are subject to sales tax in Florida, calculated on the purchase price. The tax is typically paid when you register the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you trade in a vehicle, the trade-in value is usually subtracted from the purchase price before tax is calculated.

Rental cars are taxed at the full sales tax rate. Hotel rooms are subject to sales tax plus a separate tourist development tax that varies by county. Rental property (like an apartment lease) is not subject to sales tax.

Alcohol and tobacco products are taxed at the regular sales tax rate, plus they have their own excise taxes. Cigarettes, for example, have a state excise tax on top of sales tax. Alcohol also has state and federal excise taxes in addition to sales tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total sales tax rate where I live?

Your total rate is Florida's 6 percent state tax plus your county's local surtax. To find your county's rate, search "Florida sales tax by county" or call your county tax collector's office. Rates range from 6 percent to 8 percent depending on location.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

Groceries you buy at a grocery store for home preparation are not subject to state sales tax, though your county's local surtax may still explore. Prepared food, restaurant meals, and deli items are taxed at the full rate. Check your receipt — it should show which items were taxed.

Is sales tax included in the price shown on the shelf?

No. The price on the shelf or tag is the pre-tax price. Sales tax is calculated and added at checkout. The final amount you pay will be higher than the shelf price.

Do I have to pay sales tax on online purchases?

If you buy from a retailer that has a physical location in Florida or meets Florida's sales threshold, sales tax is charged. If you buy from an out-of-state retailer with no Florida presence, sales tax may not be charged at checkout, though Florida law requires you to pay use tax on those purchases — most individuals do not report this on their tax return.

When is the Florida sales tax holiday?

Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday is typically held in early August for one to two weeks. During this period, school supplies and clothing are sold without sales tax. The exact dates and may be able to access items change yearly, so check the Florida Department of Revenue website before the holiday period.