Florida has a state sales tax of 6%, plus local taxes that vary by county

Florida charges a 6% state sales tax on most goods and some services. On top of that, individual counties add their own local sales tax, ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%. Your total sales tax depends on where you make the purchase. In Miami-Dade County, for example, you pay 7% total (6% state plus 1% local). In Duval County (Jacksonville), it's 7.5% (6% state plus 1.5% local). In some rural counties with no local add-on, you pay only the 6% state rate.

The tax applies at the point of sale for most items you buy in stores, online, or by mail order if the seller has a physical presence in Florida. Food bought at grocery stores is exempt — you don't pay sales tax on milk, bread, or produce. But prepared food, restaurant meals, and food from convenience stores are taxed. Prescription medications are also exempt, but over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are taxed.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's base sales tax is 6%, but your actual rate depends on your county's local add-on, which ranges from 0.5% to 2.5%.
  • Grocery store food is not taxed, but restaurant meals, prepared foods, and convenience store food are subject to sales tax.
  • Prescription medications are exempt, but over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements are taxed.
  • Services like haircuts, repairs, and professional fees are generally not taxed in Florida, though some specific services have exceptions.
  • Online purchases from out-of-state sellers are taxed only if the seller has a physical location in Florida or meets federal nexus requirements.

What's taxed and what's not in Florida

Beyond groceries and medications, Florida's sales tax rules have several other carve-outs. Clothing and shoes are taxed. Gasoline at the pump is taxed. Electricity and water bills are taxed. Newspapers and magazines are not taxed. Admission to movies, concerts, and sporting events is taxed.

Services are mostly exempt from sales tax. If you pay a plumber, electrician, accountant, or lawyer, you don't pay sales tax on their labor. The same applies to haircuts, dental work, and car repairs. However, if you buy a tangible product as part of that service — like parts for a repair or supplies for a salon — the product itself may be taxed depending on how the invoice is structured.

Utilities are taxed in Florida. Your electric bill, water bill, and natural gas bill all include the 6% state sales tax plus any local add-on. Telecommunications services (phone and internet) are also taxed.

Local sales tax rates by county

Florida's 67 counties each set their own local sales tax rate within state limits. The state allows counties to impose a local option sales tax of up to 2.5%, though most counties use rates between 0.5% and 1.5%. A few counties have no local add-on at all, meaning residents pay only the 6% state rate.

To find your exact rate, look at your county. Broward County adds 1%, Hillsborough County (Tampa) adds 1.5%, Orange County (Orlando) adds 0.5%, and Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) adds 1.5%. These rates can change if voters approve a new local tax measure, so if you're planning a major purchase or move, check with your county tax collector's office or the Florida Department of Revenue website for the current rate in your area.

How sales tax affects your budget and spending

Sales tax is a point-of-sale cost that you see on your receipt. If an item is priced at $100 and your total sales tax rate is 7%, you pay $107 at checkout. Unlike income tax, which is withheld throughout the year, sales tax hits your wallet when ready when you buy something.

For budgeting purposes, remember that the price tag does not include sales tax. If you're shopping with a fixed amount of cash or a gift card, the actual amount you can buy is less than the stated price. This matters most for large purchases like furniture, appliances, or vehicles. A $10,000 car purchase in a 7% sales tax county costs you $10,700 out the door.

Sales tax also means Florida residents pay tax on purchases they make while traveling within the state. If you drive from a 6% county to a 7.5% county to shop, you pay the tax rate where the store is located, not where you live.

Sales tax on online and mail orders

Online purchases are subject to Florida sales tax if the seller has a physical presence in Florida — a warehouse, office, or store location. Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target collect Florida sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses because they have distribution centers in the state.

If you order from a small out-of-state seller with no Florida location, Florida law does not require them to collect sales tax. However, you are technically responsible for paying "use tax" — a tax on items you bring into Florida or have shipped to you — when you file your state income tax return. In practice, most individual taxpayers do not report use tax on personal purchases, though businesses are expected to track and report it.

Sales tax on vehicles and major purchases

When you buy a car in Florida, sales tax is calculated on the purchase price and collected by the dealer at the time of sale. The rate is your local county rate (6% state plus local add-on). If you trade in a vehicle, the sales tax is applied to the net amount — the sale price minus the trade-in value — not the full purchase price. This is called the "trade-in allowance" and it reduces your taxable amount.

For boats, RVs, and other vehicles, the same rule applies: sales tax is due on the net purchase price after any trade-in credit. If you buy a used vehicle from a private party, you still owe sales tax when you register it with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. The tax is collected at the time of registration, not at the point of sale between you and the seller.

How to find your county's exact sales tax rate

Your county's sales tax rate is available through the Florida Department of Revenue website or by calling your county tax collector's office. The rate is also printed on your sales receipt. If you're moving to Florida or relocating within the state, knowing your new county's rate helps you budget for purchases.

Some counties have special district taxes on top of the standard local rate — for example, a county might have a 1% local rate plus an additional 0.5% for a specific purpose like transportation or infrastructure. These show up as separate line items on your receipt. The total of all taxes (state plus all local and district taxes) is what you actually pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?

No. Unprepared food bought at grocery stores — milk, bread, produce, frozen vegetables, meat, and canned goods — is exempt from sales tax. But prepared foods like deli items, hot foods, and anything from a convenience store or restaurant is taxed at your local rate.

What's the difference between sales tax and use tax?

Sales tax is collected by the seller at the point of sale. Use tax is a tax you owe on items you buy outside Florida or from sellers who don't collect sales tax, then bring into the state. You report use tax on your state income tax return, though most individuals don't report small personal purchases.

Do I pay sales tax when I trade in my car?

No, not on the trade-in value. Sales tax is calculated only on the net amount you pay — the sale price minus what the dealer credits you for your old vehicle. If you buy a $20,000 car and trade in a vehicle worth $5,000, you pay sales tax on $15,000, not $20,000.

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Florida?

No. The state rate is always 6%, but each county adds its own local tax ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%. Your total rate depends on which county you're in when you make the purchase. Check your receipt or your county tax collector's website to see your exact rate.

Do I owe sales tax on services like haircuts or repairs?

No. Labor and professional services are not taxed in Florida. You don't pay sales tax on haircuts, plumbing repairs, legal fees, or dental work. However, if the service includes a tangible product — like parts for a repair or supplies — that product portion may be taxed depending on how the invoice is itemized.