Florida's Sales Tax Rate and What You Pay
Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent. When you buy something in a store or online, that 6 percent gets added to the price at checkout. However, most counties in Florida add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate, which means your actual tax can be anywhere from 6 percent to 7.5 percent depending on where you live. The county you're in determines the local portion — it's not the same everywhere in the state.
The combined rate matters because it changes what you actually pay. A $100 item costs $106 in some counties but $107.50 in others. If you shop near a county line, you might notice the difference at the register. Online purchases to a Florida address are taxed at the rate for your delivery address, not where the seller is located.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but most counties add 0.5 to 1.5 percent on top, bringing your total to between 6 and 7.5 percent.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and most medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
- Services like haircuts, repairs, and restaurant meals are taxed, though prepared food has different rules than groceries.
- Online purchases are taxed based on where the item is delivered, not where you live or where the seller operates.
- Resale certificates allow businesses to buy items without paying tax if they plan to resell them.
Which County You Live In Changes Your Total Tax Rate
Florida does not have a single statewide sales tax rate because counties can add their own local tax. Duval County (Jacksonville) charges 7 percent total. Miami-Dade County charges 7 percent. Broward County charges 7 percent. Hillsborough County (Tampa) charges 7.5 percent. Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) charges 7.5 percent. Some smaller counties charge only 6 percent — just the state rate with no local addition.
Your county's rate applies to everything you buy there, whether you're at a big-box store, a local shop, or a gas station. If you live near a county border and shop in a different county, that county's rate applies. This is why residents near county lines sometimes drive a few miles to save on tax, though the savings only add up on large purchases.
What Is and Isn't Taxed in Florida
Not everything you buy is subject to sales tax. Groceries — items you buy at the supermarket to cook at home — are not taxed. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared food is taxed. If you buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store deli, you pay tax. If you buy a sandwich from a restaurant, you pay tax. The rule is whether the food is ready to eat.
Prescription medications are not taxed in Florida. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin and cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment is exempt. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are taxed, but the lenses themselves (if you're replacing just the lenses) may not be, depending on how the sale is recorded.
Services are generally taxed in Florida. A haircut is taxed. Car repairs are taxed. Plumbing work is taxed. Dental work is taxed. Labor and parts together are both subject to tax. However, some services are exempt — for example, medical and dental services performed by licensed practitioners are not taxed, but the supplies they use might be.
How Sales Tax Works on Online and Out-of-State Purchases
If you order something online and have it delivered to a Florida address, Florida sales tax applies. The tax rate is based on your delivery address, not the seller's location. This applies whether you buy from a Florida company, an out-of-state company, or a marketplace like Amazon or eBay. The seller is responsible for collecting and sending the tax to Florida.
If you order something to be shipped out of state, you do not pay Florida sales tax. If you travel to another state and buy something there, you pay that state's tax. You cannot avoid Florida tax by having something shipped to a friend in another state and then picking it up — the tax is based on the delivery address at the time of purchase.
Resale Certificates and Tax-Exempt Purchases
If you own a business and buy items to resell, you can use a resale certificate to buy without paying sales tax. You give the certificate to the seller instead of paying tax at checkout. The seller keeps the certificate on file and reports the sale as a resale, which means they do not send tax to the state. You pay tax only when the customer buys the item from you.
Resale certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Revenue. You need a sales tax registration number to get one. The certificate is specific to your business and cannot be used for personal purchases or items you're not planning to resell. Using a resale certificate for personal items is tax fraud.
Who Collects and Where the Money Goes
The seller — the store, restaurant, or online company — collects sales tax from you at the point of sale. They hold the money and send it to the Florida Department of Revenue, usually monthly. The state keeps the 6 percent portion. The local portion goes to the county where the sale happened. Counties use that money for schools, roads, emergency services, and other local programs.
If a business fails to collect or send sales tax, the Department of Revenue can audit them and assess penalties. If you overpay tax — for example, if an item should have been exempt but was taxed anyway — you can request a refund from the seller or file a claim with the Department of Revenue, though this is rare for small amounts.
Sales Tax on Specific Items You Might Question
Clothing is taxed in Florida. There is no clothing exemption. Shoes are taxed. Hats are taxed. School supplies like notebooks and pens are taxed. Books are taxed, whether physical or digital. Newspapers and magazines are taxed. Gasoline is taxed at the pump — the tax you see listed is included in the price per gallon.
Alcohol is taxed at the regular sales tax rate, plus there are separate excise taxes on beer, wine, and spirits that are set by the state. Those excise taxes are separate from sales tax and are higher. Cigarettes and vaping products are taxed at the regular rate plus a separate excise tax. Lottery tickets are not subject to sales tax, but winnings are subject to income tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate where I live in Florida?
Florida's state rate is 6 percent. Your total rate depends on your county. Check the Florida Department of Revenue website or ask a cashier — they can tell you the combined rate for your location. Rates range from 6 to 7.5 percent across the state.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
No. Unprepared groceries — items you buy to cook at home — are not taxed. This includes produce, meat, dairy, and canned goods. Prepared food like restaurant meals, deli items, and hot foods from a grocery store are taxed.
Is sales tax added to the price shown on the shelf?
No. The price on the shelf or online does not include sales tax. Tax is added at checkout. The final amount you pay is the listed price plus the sales tax for your county.
Do I have to pay Florida sales tax on things I buy online from out of state?
Yes, if the item is delivered to a Florida address. The seller is required to collect Florida sales tax based on your delivery address. The tax rate is the one for your county, not the seller's location.
Can I get a refund if I was charged sales tax on something that should be exempt?
You can ask the seller for a refund if the item was incorrectly taxed. Keep your receipt. If the seller will not refund it, you can contact the Florida Department of Revenue, though refunds for small amounts are uncommon.