Orlando's Sales Tax Rate and What It Covers
The sales tax rate in Orlando is 6.5%. This is the combined state and local rate you pay when you buy most goods and services in Orange County, where Orlando is located. Florida's state sales tax is 6%, and Orange County adds a 0.5% local tax on top of that.
This 6.5% applies to tangible items you can touch and take home — clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture, and restaurant meals. Some services are taxed, others are not. For example, you pay sales tax on a haircut but not on a doctor's visit. The tax is calculated on the total before any discounts are applied, and it appears as a separate line on your receipt.
If you shop in a different Florida county, the rate may be different. Some counties add 1% or more on top of the state rate, so rates range from 6% to 7.5% across the state. But within Orange County — which includes Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, and surrounding areas — you will see 6.5% consistently.
Key Takeaways
- Orlando's combined sales tax rate is 6.5%, made up of Florida's 6% state tax plus Orange County's 0.5% local tax.
- Sales tax applies to most goods and some services, but not to groceries, prescription medications, or medical services.
- The tax is added at the point of sale and shown separately on your receipt.
- If you travel to another Florida county, the rate will likely be different, so check before making large purchases.
- Online purchases shipped to an Orlando address are subject to the same 6.5% rate as in-store purchases.
What Items Are and Are Not Taxed
Most goods are taxed at 6.5%, but Florida has specific exemptions. Groceries — items you buy at a supermarket to cook at home — are not taxed. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and hot foods from a deli counter are taxed.
Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax in Florida. If you buy over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers or cold medicine, those are taxed. Vitamins and supplements are also taxed. When you check out at a pharmacy, the cashier will separate taxable and non-taxable items on your receipt.
Services have mixed rules. A haircut, massage, or car wash is taxed. A doctor's visit, dental cleaning, or therapy session is not. Repairs to tangible items — fixing a phone, repairing shoes, servicing a car — are taxed. Renting a car for a day is taxed, but renting an apartment for a month is not.
How Sales Tax Works on Online and Out-of-State Purchases
If you order something online and have it shipped to an address in Orlando, you pay 6.5% sales tax. This applies whether you buy from a large retailer like Amazon or a small business website. The seller collects the tax and sends it to Florida and Orange County.
If you order from an out-of-state seller and have it shipped to Orlando, the same rule applies — you owe 6.5% sales tax. Many online retailers now collect this automatically at checkout. If a seller does not collect it, you are technically responsible for paying it to the state as "use tax," though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases.
Digital goods — ebooks, music downloads, software, and streaming subscriptions — are generally not taxed in Florida. However, if you buy a physical item like a CD or DVD, that is taxed.
Sales Tax on Large Purchases and Business Transactions
Sales tax applies the same way whether you are buying one item or many. A $10 purchase and a $1,000 purchase both have 6.5% added. The tax is calculated on the subtotal before any coupons or discounts are applied.
If you are buying for a business and have a resale certificate, you do not pay sales tax on goods you plan to resell. You will need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue and provide your certificate number at checkout. This applies to retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers buying inventory.
Nonprofits and government agencies may be exempt from sales tax on certain purchases. The rules vary by organization type and purchase category, so check with the Florida Department of Revenue if you represent an organization that might may have access to.
Where to Find Current Tax Information
The Florida Department of Revenue maintains the official list of what is and is not taxed. You can visit their website to search for specific items or services. Orange County's tax collector's office also publishes information about local tax rates and rules.
If you are unsure whether a particular item is taxed, ask the cashier or call the store before you buy. Rates and rules can change, so checking directly is faster than searching online. Most retailers train their staff on exemptions like groceries and prescriptions, so they can answer quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sales tax the same everywhere in Florida?
No. Florida's state tax is 6% everywhere, but each county adds its own local tax. Orange County adds 0.5%, making the total 6.5% in Orlando. Other counties add between 0.5% and 1.5%, so rates range from 6% to 7.5% depending on where you shop.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Orlando?
No. Unprepared food you buy at a grocery store — produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods — is not taxed. But prepared foods, restaurant meals, and hot foods from a deli are taxed at 6.5%.
What about sales tax on a car purchase?
Yes. When you buy a vehicle in Orlando, you pay 6.5% sales tax on the purchase price. This is collected by the dealer and sent to the state. If you trade in a vehicle, the tax is calculated on the net amount after the trade-in credit is subtracted.
Do I owe sales tax if I buy something online from out of state?
Yes. If it ships to an Orlando address, you owe 6.5% sales tax. Most large online retailers collect this automatically. If they do not, you are technically responsible for paying it as use tax, though enforcement is rare for individual purchases.
Are there any other local taxes in Orlando besides sales tax?
Yes. Orange County has a 6% hotel tax on short-term room rentals, and there are tourist development taxes on car rentals and other services. These are separate from sales tax and explore only to specific transactions.