How Florida Sales Tax Works and What You Pay

Florida charges a base sales tax of 6 percent on most goods and some services

Florida's state sales tax rate is 6 percent. This is the minimum you pay on taxable purchases statewide. However, most counties add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate, so your total tax at checkout is usually higher than 6 percent. The combined rate depends on which county you are in and what you are buying.

Sales tax in Florida is collected at the point of sale — when you buy something in a store, online, or by mail order. The retailer collects the tax and sends it to the Florida Department of Revenue. You do not file a separate form to pay sales tax as a buyer; it is calculated and added to your bill automatically.

Understanding what is taxed and what is not, and how local rates stack on top of the state rate, helps you predict what you will actually pay and understand your receipt.

Key Takeaways

• Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but your actual rate is higher because counties add local tax ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 percent on top of it.
• Most physical goods are taxable, but groceries, prescription medicines, and medical devices are exempt from both state and local tax.
• Services are generally not taxed in Florida unless they are specifically listed as taxable, such as short-term rentals, admissions to events, and certain repairs.
• You can find your exact combined tax rate by entering your address on the Florida Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer.

How local tax rates stack on top of the state rate

Every Florida county has the authority to add its own local sales tax, called a discretionary sales surtax. This local rate ranges from 0.5 percent to 2.5 percent depending on the county. Some counties use the full 2.5 percent; others use less. A few unincorporated areas have even added additional small taxes for specific purposes like transportation or infrastructure.

Your total sales tax rate is the state rate plus your county's local rate. For example, if you live in Miami-Dade County, which has a 1 percent local surtax, your combined rate is 7 percent. In Broward County, which has a 1.5 percent local surtax, your combined rate is 7.5 percent. In Duval County, which has a 1.5 percent local surtax, your combined rate is also 7.5 percent.

The easiest way to find your exact rate is to enter your address on the Florida Department of Revenue's sales tax rate lookup tool at floridarevenue.gov. You can also call a local retailer and ask what tax rate applies to your address.

What is taxed and what is not

Most physical goods sold in Florida are subject to sales tax. Clothing, electronics, furniture, appliances, and most other items you buy in stores are taxed at your combined state and local rate.

Several categories of goods are exempt from sales tax entirely. Groceries and food for home consumption are not taxed. Prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs are not taxed. Medical devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and diabetic supplies are not taxed. Durable medical equipment prescribed by a doctor is also exempt. Baby formula and diapers are not taxed.

Services are treated differently than goods. Most services in Florida are not subject to sales tax unless they are specifically listed as taxable. Haircuts, plumbing repairs, accounting services, and legal information are generally not taxed. However, some services are taxable: short-term rentals (like Airbnb), hotel stays, admissions to movies and sporting events, and certain repairs to tangible goods are all subject to tax.

Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order something online from a retailer that has a physical presence in Florida or meets certain sales thresholds, Florida sales tax applies to your order. This is true even if the retailer is based outside Florida. The retailer is responsible for collecting and remitting the tax.

If you order from an out-of-state retailer with no Florida presence and no significant sales into Florida, sales tax may not be collected at checkout. However, Florida residents are technically required to pay "use tax" on such purchases — a tax equal to the sales tax rate that would have applied. In practice, use tax is rarely enforced for individual purchases, but it is a legal obligation.

When you buy something in another state and bring it into Florida, you do not owe Florida sales tax on it. The tax was already paid in the state where you purchased it.

How to find your county's exact tax rate

Your combined sales tax rate depends on your county and sometimes your specific address within the county. The most reliable way to find it is to use the Florida Department of Revenue's online rate lookup at floridarevenue.gov/taxes/sales-tax. Enter your street address, city, and ZIP code, and the tool will show your exact combined rate.

You can also call the Florida Department of Revenue at 850-488-6800 and provide your address. A representative can tell you the rate that applies to your location. If you are shopping in a different county, ask the retailer what rate applies to that address.

Keep in mind that rates can change if a county votes to adjust its local surtax. The state rate of 6 percent has not changed since 1992, but local rates are adjusted periodically.

Sales tax on specific purchases you might make

Understanding whether a specific item is taxed can be confusing because the rules depend on what the item is and how it is classified. Here are some common scenarios:

Clothing and shoes: Taxed at your full combined rate. There is no clothing exemption in Florida.

Restaurant meals and takeout: Taxed at your full combined rate. This includes fast food, sit-down restaurants, and food trucks.

Gasoline: Taxed at your full combined rate, though Florida also charges a separate fuel tax per gallon.

Vitamins and supplements: Taxed at your full combined rate. Only prescription medicines are exempt.

Gym memberships and fitness classes: Generally not taxed, though some counties may tax certain fitness services. Check with your provider.

Streaming services and digital downloads: Taxed at your full combined rate.

Vehicle repairs: Taxed at your full combined rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my sales tax different from the 6 percent state rate?

Your county adds a local sales tax on top of Florida's 6 percent state rate. This local tax ranges from 0.5 to 2.5 percent depending on which county you are in. Your total rate is the state rate plus your county's local rate. Use the Florida Department of Revenue's rate lookup tool to find your exact combined rate.

Are groceries taxed in Florida?

No. Groceries and food for home consumption are exempt from Florida sales tax. This includes items like bread, milk, vegetables, and meat. Restaurant meals and takeout food are taxed, but food you buy at a grocery store to prepare at home is not.

Do I pay sales tax on prescription medicines?

No. Prescription medicines are exempt from both state and local sales tax in Florida. Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers and cold medicine are also exempt. However, vitamins and supplements that are not classified as medicines are taxed.

Do I have to pay sales tax on online purchases?

If the online retailer has a physical location in Florida or meets certain sales thresholds, Florida sales tax applies to your order. If the retailer has no Florida presence and does not meet the threshold, tax may not be collected at checkout, though you are technically required to pay use tax on such purchases.

Is sales tax charged on services in Florida?

Most services are not taxed in Florida. Haircuts, repairs, and professional services are generally exempt. However, some services are taxable: hotel stays, short-term rentals, event admissions, and certain repairs to goods are subject to tax. Check with the service provider if you are unsure.