How Florida Sales Tax Works and What You Pay

Florida's sales tax rate and what it covers

Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent. Most counties add a local sales tax on top of that, ranging from 0.5 to 2 percent, which means the total you pay at checkout ranges from 6.5 to 8 percent depending on where you shop. The combined rate is set by your county, not by individual cities or stores.

Sales tax in Florida applies to most tangible goods — items you can touch and take home. Clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture, and gasoline all carry sales tax. Some services are taxed and some are not. A haircut is taxed. A doctor's visit is not. A car repair is taxed. A legal consultation is not.

The tax is collected at the point of sale by the retailer, who then sends it to the Florida Department of Revenue. You do not file anything yourself as a buyer — the tax appears on your receipt and is included in your total bill.

Key Takeaways

• Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, and your county adds between 0.5 and 2 percent, making your total rate between 6.5 and 8 percent.
• Sales tax applies to most goods you buy in stores but not to services like medical care, legal information, or haircuts in most cases.
• Groceries and prescription medications are exempt from Florida sales tax, but prepared food and over-the-counter drugs are taxed.
• Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may or may not include Florida sales tax depending on the seller's location and size.
• Retailers collect and remit the tax to the Florida Department of Revenue, so you do not need to file or report sales tax as a buyer.

What is exempt from Florida sales tax

Groceries — unprepared food you cook at home — are not taxed in Florida. This includes bread, milk, eggs, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. The line between grocery and taxed food is whether it is ready to eat. A sandwich from a deli counter is taxed. A loaf of bread from the shelf is not.

Prescription medications are exempt. Over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, cold medicine, and antacids are taxed. Medical devices prescribed by a doctor, such as diabetic test strips or hearing aids, are exempt. Items that look medical but are not prescribed — like bandages or thermometers — are taxed.

Certain services are not taxed at all. Medical and dental services, legal services, and personal services like haircuts and massages do not carry sales tax. However, if you buy a product as part of that service — such as a bottle of shampoo a salon sells you — that product is taxed.

County-by-county sales tax rates in Florida

Florida has 67 counties, and each sets its own local sales tax rate on top of the 6 percent state rate. Duval County (Jacksonville) charges 7 percent total. Hillsborough County (Tampa) charges 7.5 percent. Miami-Dade County charges 7 percent. Broward County charges 7 percent. Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) charges 7.5 percent.

The local portion funds county services and infrastructure. If you cross a county line, the rate changes. Buying something in one county and taking it to another does not change the tax — you pay the rate where the sale happens.

To find your county's exact rate, search "Florida sales tax by county" or check the Florida Department of Revenue website, which lists all 67 rates. The rate can change if your county votes to adjust it, though this happens infrequently.

How sales tax works on online purchases

If you buy from a large online retailer like Amazon or Walmart online, Florida sales tax is usually added to your order if you live in Florida. These companies have a physical presence in Florida or meet federal thresholds that require them to collect sales tax in every state.

Smaller online sellers or sellers based outside Florida may not collect Florida sales tax at checkout. In those cases, the tax is technically owed by you, the buyer, but it is rarely enforced for individual purchases. If you run a business and buy inventory online, you may need to report and pay sales tax on those purchases yourself through the Florida Department of Revenue.

The rule changed in 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states can require online sellers to collect sales tax even if they have no physical location in that state. Most major retailers now do this automatically. Smaller sellers may not, and the burden of tracking and reporting falls to the buyer.

Sales tax on vehicles and large purchases

When you buy a car in Florida, sales tax is calculated on the purchase price and collected at the time of registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles, not at the dealership. The tax rate is the combined state and county rate where you register the vehicle. If you buy a car for $25,000 in a county with a 7 percent rate, you owe $1,750 in sales tax.

Trade-ins reduce the taxable amount. If you trade in a vehicle worth $5,000 toward a $25,000 purchase, you pay sales tax only on the $20,000 difference. This is called the trade-in credit and applies to cars, motorcycles, and boats.

Large purchases like furniture or appliances are taxed the same way as smaller items — at the point of sale. There is no threshold above which the tax changes or disappears. A $10,000 sofa is taxed at the same rate as a $100 item.

Who collects and where the money goes

Retailers collect sales tax from you at checkout and hold it until they remit it to the Florida Department of Revenue. Most retailers send in their collected tax monthly, though some send it more or less frequently depending on their volume. The retailer is responsible for sending the correct amount — if they fail to do so, they face penalties and interest.

The state keeps the 6 percent portion. The county keeps its local portion. The money funds schools, roads, emergency services, and other public services. Each county decides how to spend its local sales tax revenue, which is why rates vary — some counties have higher needs or have voted to fund specific projects.

As a buyer, you do not interact with the Florida Department of Revenue. You pay the tax to the retailer, and the retailer handles the rest. If you believe a retailer charged you incorrectly, you can contact the retailer first; if the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?

No, unprepared groceries like bread, milk, vegetables, and meat are not taxed. Prepared foods — deli sandwiches, hot pizza, restaurant meals — are taxed. The difference is whether the food is ready to eat when you buy it.

What is the sales tax rate where I live?

Florida's state rate is 6 percent. Your county adds between 0.5 and 2 percent. To find your exact total rate, search your county name plus "sales tax rate" or visit the Florida Department of Revenue website, which lists all 67 county rates.

Do I have to pay sales tax on online orders from out-of-state sellers?

Large online retailers collect Florida sales tax automatically. Smaller sellers may not. If tax was not collected, you technically owe it, but enforcement for individual purchases is rare. Businesses buying inventory online should track and report uncollected tax to the Florida Department of Revenue.

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

No. The price on the shelf or online is before tax. Sales tax is added at checkout and shown on your receipt. This is why your total bill is higher than the advertised price.

How much sales tax do I pay when I buy a car?

You pay the combined state and county sales tax rate on the purchase price, minus any trade-in credit. If you buy a $25,000 car in a county with a 7 percent rate and trade in a $5,000 vehicle, you pay tax on $20,000, which equals $1,400.