Orlando's combined sales tax is 6.5 percent

When you buy something in Orlando, you pay a 6.5 percent sales tax on most goods. This rate combines the state sales tax (6 percent) and Orange County's local sales tax (0.5 percent). The tax applies at the register — it is not included in the price tag you see on the shelf.

The 6.5 percent rate applies to tangible goods: clothing, electronics, groceries at the checkout, restaurant meals, and most other items you can touch and take home. Some categories have different rules, which are covered below.

If you travel to another Florida county, the rate changes. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) charges 7.5 percent. Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area) charges 7 percent. Always check the local rate before you travel, because the difference adds up on large purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • Orlando's sales tax rate is 6.5 percent: 6 percent state plus 0.5 percent Orange County local tax.
  • The tax is added at checkout and is not included in the advertised price.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
  • Restaurant meals, prepared foods, and alcohol are taxed at the full 6.5 percent rate.
  • Other Florida counties charge different rates, ranging from 6 percent to 7.5 percent.

What is and is not taxed in Orlando

Not everything you buy in Orlando is subject to the 6.5 percent tax. Groceries — unprepared food you take home and cook yourself — are exempt. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. The exemption does not explore to hot food, ready-to-eat items, or anything sold at a restaurant or deli counter.

Prescription medications are also exempt from sales tax in Florida. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, cold medicine, and vitamins are taxed at 6.5 percent. Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, canes, and hearing aids may be exempt depending on the specific item and how it is classified — ask the retailer or check your receipt if you are unsure.

Restaurant meals, coffee, prepared sandwiches, and takeout food are all taxed. If you buy a rotisserie chicken from a grocery store deli, you pay tax. If you buy a raw chicken from the meat counter, you do not. The distinction is whether the food is ready to eat.

How the tax breaks down: state versus local

Florida's 6.5 percent sales tax in Orlando comes from two sources. The state collects 6 percent on all taxable sales across Florida. Orange County adds 0.5 percent on top of that for local services and infrastructure.

The state portion (6 percent) is the same everywhere in Florida. The local portion varies by county. Orange County chose to impose 0.5 percent; other counties impose different amounts. When you see a total of 6.5 percent, you are paying both layers at once — the register does not separate them.

This structure means that if you buy the same item in two different Florida counties, you may pay different total tax. A $100 purchase in Orlando costs $106.50 after tax. The same purchase in Tampa (Hillsborough County, 7.5 percent) costs $107.50. The difference is small on individual items but compounds on large purchases or over time.

Sales tax on specific categories you encounter often

Clothing and shoes: Taxed at 6.5 percent with no exemptions. A $50 shirt costs $53.25 after tax.

Electronics and appliances: Taxed at 6.5 percent. A laptop, phone, or refrigerator all carry the full rate.

Gasoline: Taxed at 6.5 percent per gallon. The tax is included in the price you see at the pump.

Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits are taxed at 6.5 percent. Some counties add an additional alcohol tax, but Orange County does not.

Services: Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing are generally not subject to sales tax in Florida. You pay the service fee, but no sales tax is added. However, if you buy a product as part of the service (like hair dye at a salon), that product portion may be taxed.

How to calculate the total price before you buy

To find the final price of an item in Orlando, multiply the price by 1.065. A $100 item costs $106.50. A $50 item costs $53.25. A $10 item costs $10.65.

Most modern calculators and phones have a built-in calculator app. Enter the price, multiply by 1.065, and you have the total. Some retailers display the tax amount separately on the receipt so you can see exactly how much went to tax.

If you are comparing prices between Orlando and another city, remember to add the local tax rate to each price before deciding which is cheaper. A lower sticker price in a higher-tax county may end up costing more at checkout.

Sales tax on online purchases from Orlando retailers

If you order online from a retailer based in Orlando or Florida, you typically pay the 6.5 percent sales tax on delivery to an Orlando address. This applies whether you order from a local store's website or a national retailer that has a warehouse in the state.

If you order from a retailer outside Florida and have it shipped to Orlando, the tax rules depend on whether that retailer has a physical presence in Florida. Large national retailers like Amazon collect Florida sales tax on most items shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller out-of-state retailers may not. The tax is usually added at checkout before you complete the purchase.

Some items, like groceries and prescription medications, remain exempt from tax even when ordered online and delivered to your home in Orlando.

What happens if you are tax-exempt

Certain organizations and individuals do not pay sales tax in Florida. Nonprofits registered with the state can purchase items tax-free for their operations. Government agencies do not pay sales tax. Resellers — businesses that buy goods to resell — can provide a resale certificate to avoid paying tax on inventory.

If you fall into one of these categories, you will need to provide documentation at the point of sale or register with the Florida Department of Revenue beforehand. A nonprofit cannot straightforward claim exemption without paperwork; the retailer will ask for proof of your status.

Individual shoppers do not have a general exemption. If you are buying for personal use, you pay the 6.5 percent rate regardless of your income or circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The price tag shows the pre-tax amount. The 6.5 percent sales tax is added at the register. This is why your receipt total is higher than the price you saw in the store.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Orlando?

Not on unprepared groceries like raw meat, vegetables, bread, and milk. You do pay tax on prepared foods, hot items, deli counter purchases, and anything ready to eat. The distinction is whether you are buying ingredients or a finished meal.

What is the sales tax rate if I drive to another Florida city?

It depends on the county. Tampa (Hillsborough) is 7.5 percent. Fort Lauderdale (Broward) is 7 percent. Jacksonville (Duval) is 7 percent. Check the specific county's rate before you travel if you are making a large purchase.

Do I pay sales tax on services like haircuts or car repairs?

No. Labor and services are not taxed in Florida. You pay for the service itself but no sales tax is added. However, if the service includes a product (like dye at a salon or parts at a repair shop), that product portion may be taxed separately.

Why is the tax different in other Florida counties?

Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent everywhere, but each county can add its own local tax. Orange County adds 0.5 percent for a total of 6.5 percent. Other counties add different amounts, ranging from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent, which is why totals vary across the state.