Florida charges 6 percent sales tax on most goods, with some counties adding an extra 0.5 to 2 percent on top
Florida's base sales tax rate is 6 percent. Most counties add a surtax — an additional local tax — that ranges from 0.5 to 2 percent. Your total rate depends on which county you buy in. For example, Miami-Dade County charges 7 percent total (6 percent state plus 1 percent local), while Duval County charges 6.5 percent (6 percent state plus 0.5 percent local). A few counties have no additional surtax, so you pay only the 6 percent state rate.
Sales tax is added at the register and included in your final bill. You do not pay it separately — the cashier or checkout system calculates it based on your location and the items you buy. The tax applies to tangible goods: clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture, and most other physical items. Services like haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing are generally not taxed, though there are exceptions.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's base sales tax is 6 percent, but your county may add 0.5 to 2 percent more, making your total rate between 6 and 8 percent depending on where you shop.
- Sales tax applies to goods but not most services, and it is calculated and added at checkout.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may not have Florida sales tax added at checkout, but you may owe use tax if you live in Florida.
- Restaurants and prepared foods are taxed, but unprepared groceries from a store are not.
What items are exempt from Florida sales tax
Groceries sold in a store are not taxed — items like milk, bread, vegetables, and canned goods are exempt. Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are also exempt. Medical devices prescribed by a doctor, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and diabetic supplies, are exempt as well.
The line between taxed and untaxed food can be confusing. Food you buy at a grocery store to take home is not taxed. Food prepared and sold at a restaurant, deli counter, or food truck is taxed. If you buy a rotisserie chicken from a grocery store's hot case, it is taxed because it is prepared. If you buy a raw chicken, it is not taxed.
County-by-county sales tax rates in Florida
Each of Florida's 67 counties sets its own surtax rate. The state collects the 6 percent, and the county keeps its portion. Here are some of the largest counties and their total rates:
| County | State Rate | County Surtax | Total Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 6% | 1% | 7% |
| Broward | 6% | 1% | 7% |
| Hillsborough | 6% | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Orange | 6% | 0.5% | 6.5% |
| Duval | 6% | 0.5% | 6.5% |
| Polk | 6% | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Pinellas | 6% | 1% | 7% |
If you live in or travel to a smaller county, check the Florida Department of Revenue website or ask a local business what the rate is. Surtax rates can change, so the rate you paid last year may not be the rate you pay this year.
How sales tax is calculated on your purchase
Sales tax is calculated on the subtotal before any discounts or coupons are applied in most cases. If you buy a $100 item in a county with 7 percent tax, you pay $107. If you have a $10 coupon, the tax is calculated on $90, so you pay $96.30 total. The exact order of operations can vary by store, so the final amount may differ slightly depending on how the register is programmed.
Tax is not charged on tax. If you buy multiple items, each item is taxed individually, and then the taxes are added together. This means the total tax you pay is the same whether you buy one $100 item or ten $10 items in the same transaction.
Sales tax on online and mail orders
If you order from an out-of-state online retailer, Florida sales tax may not be added at checkout. Many large retailers like Amazon now collect Florida sales tax automatically, but smaller sellers may not. If you buy from a seller that does not collect Florida sales tax, you technically owe use tax — a tax on items you bring into Florida or have shipped to you.
Use tax is the same rate as sales tax in your county. In practice, most individuals do not pay use tax because it is difficult to track and enforce. However, if you run a business or make large purchases, you may be required to report and pay use tax on your Florida tax return. Check with the Florida Department of Revenue if you are unsure whether you owe it.
Who collects and keeps the sales tax
The retailer collects sales tax from you at the point of sale. The retailer then sends the state's 6 percent portion to the Florida Department of Revenue, usually monthly. The county keeps its surtax portion. The money funds state and local services like schools, roads, and public safety.
Retailers are responsible for collecting the correct amount based on the location of the sale. If a sale happens in a store, the tax rate of that store's county applies. If you order online and have it shipped to an address in Florida, the tax rate of the county where it is delivered applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on clothes in Florida?
Yes. Clothing is taxed at the full rate in your county. There is no clothing exemption in Florida, unlike some other states. This includes shoes, accessories, and all apparel.
Is restaurant food taxed differently than grocery store food?
Yes. Food you buy at a grocery store to take home is not taxed. Food prepared and sold ready to eat — at a restaurant, deli, food truck, or bakery — is taxed. This includes hot foods from a grocery store's prepared section.
What if I buy something online from a Florida seller?
Florida sellers must collect sales tax on online orders shipped to Florida addresses. The tax rate is based on the delivery address, not the seller's location. You should see the tax added at checkout.
Can I get a refund of sales tax I already paid?
Generally, no. Sales tax is final once you complete the purchase. If you return an item, you get a refund of the purchase price including the tax. If you believe you were overcharged, contact the retailer or the Florida Department of Revenue.
Do I owe sales tax on services like haircuts or car repairs?
Most services are not taxed in Florida. Haircuts, plumbing, car repairs, and medical services are generally exempt. However, if you buy a product as part of the service — like a haircut plus a product the stylist applies — the product portion may be taxed.