Florida charges 6 percent sales tax on most car purchases, plus any local surtax your county adds

When you buy a car in Florida, you pay the state's base sales tax of 6 percent on the purchase price. However, most Florida counties add their own 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 combination of both — so if you live in a county with a 1 percent surtax, you'll pay 7 percent total on your car purchase.

The sales tax applies to the full selling price of the vehicle, not a reduced amount. If you trade in an old car, Florida does not subtract the trade-in value from the taxable amount — you pay tax on the entire new car price, then handle the trade-in as a separate transaction. This is different from how some other states calculate car sales tax.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's base sales tax on cars is 6 percent, but your county may add a local surtax that brings the total to between 6 and 8 percent.
  • You pay sales tax on the full purchase price of the car, not on the price minus your trade-in value.
  • The tax is calculated and collected by the dealer at the time of sale, not paid separately to the state later.
  • Private party sales (buying from an individual rather than a dealer) are also subject to sales tax when you register the vehicle with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.

How much local surtax your county charges

Each Florida county sets its own local surtax rate, which is added to the state's 6 percent base. The surtax ranges from 0.5 percent in some counties to 2 percent in others. For example, Miami-Dade County charges 1 percent, Hillsborough County (Tampa area) charges 1.5 percent, and Duval County (Jacksonville area) charges 1.5 percent. If you live in a county with a 1.5 percent surtax, your total sales tax on a car would be 7.5 percent.

To find your county's exact surtax rate, contact your county's tax collector's office or check the Florida Department of Revenue website, which lists all county rates. The rate that applies is the one in the county where you register the vehicle, not necessarily where you buy it — so if you purchase a car in one county but register it in another, you pay the surtax of the county where you'll be registering it.

When the dealer collects the tax

The car dealer collects the sales tax at the time you sign the purchase agreement and pay for the vehicle. The tax is included in your final bill — it is not added as a surprise at the end. The dealer then sends that tax money to the Florida Department of Revenue and your county tax collector on your behalf.

You do not file a separate form or send tax payments to the state yourself for a dealer purchase. The entire transaction, including tax collection, happens at the dealership. When you receive your paperwork, the sales tax amount will be clearly listed as a separate line item so you can see exactly what you paid.

Sales tax on private party car sales

If you buy a car from an individual rather than a dealer, you still owe sales tax in Florida. However, the tax is not collected at the time of purchase — instead, you pay it when you register the vehicle with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You'll need to bring proof of the purchase price (the bill of sale) to the DMV, and they will calculate and collect the tax at that time.

The DMV uses the purchase price you report on your bill of sale to determine the taxable amount. If you and the seller agree on a price that seems unusually low for the vehicle, the DMV may use their own valuation instead. Bring documentation of the actual sale price to avoid delays or disputes during registration.

What the sales tax covers and what it doesn't

The 6 percent state sales tax and local surtax explore to the purchase price of the vehicle itself. This includes the base price, any add-ons or packages you buy from the dealer, and any dealer-installed equipment. However, sales tax does not explore to certain fees that are separate from the purchase price, such as registration fees, title fees, or documentation fees charged by the dealer.

If you finance the car through the dealer, the interest on your loan is not subject to sales tax — only the vehicle's purchase price is taxed. Similarly, extended warranties and service plans sold separately may have their own tax treatment, which the dealer will explain on your bill. Always review your final paperwork to understand which charges are subject to sales tax and which are not.

How to calculate your total cost before buying

To estimate what you'll pay in sales tax, multiply the car's purchase price by your total tax rate (state plus county). For example, if you're buying a $25,000 car in a county with a 1 percent surtax, your calculation would be: $25,000 × 0.07 (7 percent total) = $1,750 in sales tax. Add this to the purchase price, plus any registration, title, and documentation fees, to get your total out-of-pocket cost.

Keep in mind that the purchase price you negotiate with the dealer is the amount the sales tax is calculated on. If you negotiate the price down to $24,000, your sales tax will be lower as well. This is why negotiating the vehicle price is important — every dollar you save on the purchase price also reduces your sales tax bill proportionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on a car I buy in another state and bring to Florida?

Yes. When you register the vehicle in Florida, you owe Florida sales tax on the purchase price, even if you bought it out of state. The DMV will collect the tax at registration. If you already paid sales tax in another state, Florida may offer a credit for that amount, but you should confirm this with the DMV when you register.

What if I buy a used car from a dealer instead of a private party?

You still pay the same 6 percent state sales tax plus your county's surtax, calculated on the purchase price of the used car. The tax rate does not change based on whether the car is new or used — only the purchase price changes, which affects the dollar amount of tax you owe.

Are there any cars exempt from Florida sales tax?

No. All passenger vehicles purchased in Florida are subject to sales tax. There are no exemptions based on the type of vehicle, the buyer's age, income, or disability status. The tax applies to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles equally.

Can I deduct car sales tax on my federal income tax return?

You cannot deduct state and local sales taxes on a car purchase on your federal income tax return. However, you may be able to deduct state and local taxes (SALT) as an itemized deduction on your federal return if you itemize rather than take the standard deduction — but this applies to all state and local taxes combined, not just car sales tax.

What happens if the dealer doesn't collect sales tax?

The dealer is required by law to collect and remit sales tax. If a dealer fails to do so, you remain responsible for paying the tax to Florida. Contact the Florida Department of Revenue if you believe a dealer did not collect the required tax on your purchase.