Miami's Sales Tax Rate and What It Covers

The sales tax you pay in Miami is 7 percent. This is the combined state and local rate for Miami-Dade County. When you buy something at a store, restaurant, or gas station in Miami, the seller adds 7 percent to the price before you pay.

Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent. Miami-Dade County adds 1 percent on top of that, which is why the total is 7 percent. If you travel to a different county in Florida, the rate may be different — some counties add less, and a few add more.

The 7 percent rate applies to most goods and services you buy in person. Clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture, and restaurant meals all have the tax added at checkout. A few categories are taxed differently or not at all, which is covered in the next section.

Key Takeaways

  • Miami's combined sales tax rate is 7 percent: 6 percent state tax plus 1 percent Miami-Dade County tax.
  • The tax applies to most items you buy in stores, restaurants, and gas stations, and is added to the price at checkout.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are not taxed in Florida, even in Miami.
  • Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may not have Miami sales tax added, though this is changing as laws evolve.
  • If you buy something in a different Florida county, the rate will be different because each county sets its own local tax rate.

What Is and Isn't Taxed in Miami

Not everything you buy in Miami is subject to the 7 percent sales tax. Groceries — food you buy at a supermarket to cook at home — are not taxed. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared food you buy ready to eat, like a sandwich from a deli counter or a meal at a restaurant, is taxed.

Prescription medications are not taxed in Florida. If you fill a prescription at a pharmacy, you pay the price without sales tax added. Over-the-counter medicines like cold medicine or pain relievers are taxed, because they are not prescribed by a doctor.

Some medical equipment and devices are also exempt. Diabetic testing supplies, for example, are not taxed. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are taxed, but the lenses themselves may not be in some cases — ask your eye doctor or optician about the specifics for your purchase.

Clothing is taxed in Miami at the full 7 percent rate. Florida does not have a clothing exemption like some other states do. Shoes, shirts, pants, and accessories all have sales tax added.

How Sales Tax Works When You Check Out

When you buy something in a Miami store, the cashier or register shows you the subtotal first, then adds the 7 percent sales tax, and gives you the final total to pay. You do not have to calculate it yourself — the register does it automatically.

If you are buying multiple items, the tax is calculated on the total of all taxable items. For example, if you buy a shirt for $20 and a pair of shoes for $30, the subtotal is $50. The sales tax is $3.50 (7 percent of $50), and your total is $53.50.

Some items in your cart may not be taxed. If you buy groceries and a magazine in the same transaction, the tax is only added to the magazine, not the groceries. The register knows which items are taxable and which are not.

Sales Tax on Online and Out-of-State Purchases

If you order something online from a company based outside Florida, Miami sales tax may not be added to your order. For many years, out-of-state online sellers did not collect sales tax for Florida purchases. This has been changing in recent years as laws have shifted.

Large online retailers like Amazon now collect Florida sales tax on most purchases, including those shipped to Miami. Smaller sellers may not. If you do not see sales tax added to an online order shipped to Miami, it does not mean you owe nothing — Florida law requires you to pay "use tax" on untaxed purchases, though most people do not.

If you pick up an order in person at a Miami store location, sales tax is added at the register just as it would be for any in-store purchase. This applies whether you ordered online or in the store.

Sales Tax Rates in Other Florida Counties

If you travel to a different part of Florida and make a purchase, the sales tax rate will likely be different from Miami's 7 percent. Every county in Florida sets its own local sales tax rate on top of the 6 percent state rate.

Some counties add 0.5 percent for a total of 6.5 percent. Others add 1.5 percent for a total of 7.5 percent. A few add 2 percent or more, bringing the total to 8 percent or higher. The difference is small on individual purchases but adds up if you are doing significant shopping outside Miami.

When you check out in another county, the register will automatically calculate the correct rate for that location. You do not need to know the rate ahead of time — the seller handles it.

Who Collects and Where the Money Goes

The store or business where you make the purchase collects the sales tax from you at checkout. They then send that money to the Florida Department of Revenue, which splits it between the state and Miami-Dade County.

The state portion (6 percent) goes into Florida's general revenue fund. The county portion (1 percent) goes to Miami-Dade County to fund local services. You do not file anything or pay separately — the tax is collected at the point of sale.

Businesses are required by law to collect and report sales tax. If a business does not collect it, they are responsible for paying it themselves, which is why you will see it added at almost every register in Miami.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Miami?

No. Groceries — food you buy at a supermarket to cook at home — are not taxed in Florida. This includes bread, milk, produce, and meat. Prepared food like restaurant meals, deli sandwiches, and hot food from a grocery store counter are taxed.

What if I buy something in Miami and take it to another state?

You pay Miami's 7 percent sales tax at checkout because the purchase happens in Miami. The tax does not change based on where you take the item afterward. If you later move to another state, you do not owe additional tax on something you already bought.

Are there any other taxes I pay when I buy something in Miami?

Sales tax is the main tax added at checkout. Some items have additional taxes — gasoline has a state fuel tax, and hotel rooms have a tourist development tax on top of sales tax. But for most everyday purchases, sales tax is the only tax added.

Do I need to keep receipts for sales tax purposes?

For personal purchases, you do not need to keep receipts. If you are a business owner or self-employed, you may need receipts to document business expenses for tax purposes, but that is separate from the sales tax you pay as a customer.

Why is Miami's sales tax 7 percent and not the same everywhere in Florida?

Florida allows each county to set its own local sales tax rate on top of the 6 percent state rate. Miami-Dade County chose to add 1 percent, so the total is 7 percent. Other counties add different amounts based on their local needs and decisions.