Florida's statewide sales tax is 6 percent

Florida charges a 6 percent sales tax on most retail purchases. This is the base rate that applies everywhere in the state. However, your actual tax at checkout will often be higher because counties add their own local tax on top of the state rate.

The total you pay depends on which county you're in. A purchase in Miami-Dade County will have a different total tax than the same purchase in Duval County, even though both start with that 6 percent state foundation. County rates range from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent added to the state rate, bringing your total tax bill to somewhere between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent depending on location.

Sales tax applies at the point of sale — when you buy the item, not when you receive it. If you buy something online from a Florida retailer, you pay the tax rate for the address where the item ships to, not where the seller is located.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax rate is 6 percent, but your total tax includes county additions that range from 0.5 to 1.5 percent.
  • The tax you pay depends on the county where the purchase happens, not where you live or where the seller is based.
  • Most goods are taxable, but groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are exempt.
  • Services like haircuts, repairs, and professional fees are generally not subject to sales tax in Florida.

How county taxes stack on top of the state rate

Florida's 67 counties each set their own local sales tax rate within state limits. The state allows counties to add between 0.5 and 1.5 percent to the base 6 percent. This means your total sales tax bill ranges from 6.5 percent (in counties that add the minimum) to 7.5 percent (in counties that add the maximum).

Some counties use their local tax revenue for specific purposes — transportation, infrastructure, or schools — and voters in those counties approved the rate through referendum. Others use it for general county operations. The rate in your county stays the same whether you're buying a shirt, a car, or restaurant food, with a few exceptions noted below.

If you travel between counties in Florida, you'll notice the tax rate change. Broward County and Palm Beach County, which are neighbors, may have different rates. Always check your receipt to see what rate was applied — it will show the breakdown of state and local tax.

What items are exempt from Florida sales tax

Not everything you buy is taxed. Groceries — food you prepare at home — are not subject to sales tax. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared food, restaurant meals, and hot food from a deli counter are taxed.

Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax when filled with a valid prescription. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or diabetic testing supplies — may be exempt, though the rules vary by item and how it's classified.

Certain services are not taxed at all. Haircuts, dental work, medical services, and professional fees like accounting or legal information do not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a product as part of that service — like shampoo at a salon or a crown at a dentist — the product portion may be taxed separately.

Sales tax on vehicles and large purchases

When you buy a car in Florida, sales tax applies to the purchase price. The tax is calculated on the full sale price unless you trade in another vehicle — in that case, you pay tax only on the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in value. You typically pay this tax at the time of registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles, not at the dealership.

If you buy a boat, the same rule applies: sales tax is due on the purchase price, and you pay it when you register the vessel. For aircraft, sales tax also applies, though the registration process is different.

Large purchases like furniture, appliances, or electronics are taxed at the same rate as smaller items — there is no threshold where tax stops explore. A $5,000 sofa is taxed the same way as a $50 shirt.

Online purchases and out-of-state sellers

If you order something online from a Florida business and it ships to your Florida address, Florida sales tax applies. The tax rate is based on the delivery address, not the seller's location. This applies whether you order from a small Florida retailer or a large national company with a warehouse in Florida.

If you order from an out-of-state seller and it ships to Florida, whether you owe sales tax depends on whether that seller has nexus — a legal connection — to Florida. Large national retailers like Amazon typically collect Florida sales tax on shipments to Florida addresses. Smaller sellers may not. If tax isn't collected at checkout, you may owe it when you file your state tax return, though most individual purchases don't trigger a reporting requirement.

If you order something to be shipped out of state, you do not pay Florida sales tax, even if you live in Florida. The tax is based on the destination address.

Sales tax on services and labor

Florida does not tax most services. When you pay a plumber, electrician, or contractor for labor, that labor is not subject to sales tax. However, if they sell you materials or parts as part of the job, those materials are taxed. A plumber's labor to install a pipe is not taxed, but the pipe itself is.

This distinction matters for your receipt. A contractor's invoice should separate labor from materials so you can see what portion is taxed. If everything is lumped together, ask for an itemized breakdown.

Repair services follow the same rule. Fixing a watch, repairing a phone, or servicing a car — the labor is not taxed. Parts and materials used in the repair are taxed. A mechanic's diagnostic fee for labor is not taxed, but a new alternator is.

How to find your county's exact sales tax rate

Your county's total sales tax rate is listed on the Florida Department of Revenue website. You can search by county name to see the exact breakdown: the 6 percent state rate plus your county's local addition. This rate applies to all taxable purchases in that county.

If you live near a county line and shop in different counties, you'll see different rates on your receipts. Keep this in mind when comparing prices between stores in different counties — the tax difference can add up on large purchases.

Some counties change their rates periodically if voters approve a new referendum. Check the Department of Revenue site if you haven't looked in several years, as your county's rate may have changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?

No. Groceries — food you buy to prepare at home — are not taxed. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Restaurant meals, prepared food, and hot food from a deli counter are taxed.

What's the difference between state and local sales tax on my receipt?

Your receipt shows two separate taxes: 6 percent goes to the state, and your county's rate (0.5 to 1.5 percent) goes to the county. Together they make up your total sales tax. Both are collected by the retailer at checkout.

Do I pay Florida sales tax if I order something online from out of state?

It depends on the seller. Large retailers typically collect Florida tax on shipments to Florida. Smaller sellers may not. If tax isn't collected at checkout, you may owe it on your state return, though individual purchases usually don't require reporting.

Is sales tax added to the price of a car in Florida?

Yes. Sales tax applies to the full purchase price, or to the difference if you trade in another vehicle. You pay this tax when you register the car with the Department of Motor Vehicles, not at the dealership.

Are prescription medications taxed in Florida?

No. Prescription medications filled with a valid prescription are exempt. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cough syrup are taxed as regular retail items.