Yes, Florida has a sales tax of 6 percent at the state level

Florida charges a 6 percent state sales tax on most goods and many services. However, your actual sales tax rate is almost always higher because counties add their own tax on top of the state rate. Most Florida counties add between 0.5 and 2 percent, which means you typically pay between 6.5 and 8 percent total at checkout.

The combined rate depends entirely on which county you are in. A purchase in Miami-Dade County will have a different total tax than the same purchase in Duval County. If you shop online or by mail, the seller uses the tax rate for the address where the item ships.

Florida does not tax groceries, prescription medications, or most medical equipment. Some services — like haircuts, repairs, and restaurant meals — are taxable. The rules for what is taxed and what is not are set by state law, but the county portion applies the same way regardless of what you are buying.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but your total rate includes a county tax that ranges from 0.5 to 2 percent depending on where you live.
  • Groceries and prescription medications are not subject to sales tax in Florida, but prepared food and restaurant meals are.
  • Services like haircuts, plumbing repairs, and car maintenance are taxable in Florida, unlike in some other states.
  • The tax rate that applies to your purchase is determined by the location where the item is delivered or picked up, not where you live.

How county taxes stack on top of the state rate

Florida's 6 percent state tax is just the floor. Every county in the state adds its own local sales tax, and these rates vary widely. Broward County adds 1 percent, making the combined rate 7 percent. Hillsborough County adds 1.5 percent, bringing the total to 7.5 percent. Smaller counties may add only 0.5 percent.

When you buy something in a store, the cashier rings up the tax based on the store's location. If you order online, the tax is based on the shipping address. This matters if you live near a county line — buying in a neighboring county with a lower rate will reduce your tax, but only if you pick up the item there or have it shipped there.

Some counties have added temporary or permanent surtaxes for specific purposes like infrastructure or schools. These are rare and usually clearly labeled on receipts, but they can add another 0.25 to 0.5 percent in certain areas. Your receipt always shows the exact rate charged.

What is not taxed in Florida

Florida exempts groceries from sales tax entirely. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, frozen foods, and other items you buy at a supermarket to cook at home. However, the moment food is prepared — whether at a restaurant, deli counter, or bakery — it becomes taxable. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store's hot case is taxed, but raw chicken is not.

Prescription medications are also exempt. You do not pay sales tax when you fill a prescription at a pharmacy. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cold medicine are taxable, even though you can buy them without a prescription.

Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — such as wheelchairs, crutches, or diabetic testing supplies — is generally exempt. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are taxable, as are most cosmetic or wellness products. If you are unsure whether a specific item is taxed, ask the retailer or check your receipt after purchase.

Services that are subject to sales tax

Unlike some states, Florida taxes many services. Haircuts and salon services are taxable. Plumbing repairs, electrical work, and HVAC maintenance are taxable. Car repairs and oil changes are taxable. Dry cleaning is taxable. These are among the most common services people encounter.

The rule is broad: if you pay someone to perform a service, Florida usually taxes it. The main exceptions are professional services like accounting, legal information, and medical care provided by a licensed physician or dentist. A visit to your doctor or dentist is not taxed, but the supplies or equipment they sell you may be.

Restaurant meals, including fast food and takeout, are fully taxable. Alcohol served at a bar or restaurant is taxed at the regular sales tax rate, plus Florida's alcohol tax. Delivery fees from restaurants or other retailers are sometimes taxable and sometimes not, depending on how the business structures the charge — ask before ordering if the total matters to your budget.

How to find your exact county sales tax rate

Your county's combined rate is the state 6 percent plus the local addition. To find the exact number, search online for "[your county name] sales tax rate" or visit the Florida Department of Revenue website, which lists all county rates. You can also call your county tax collector's office — the number is on your property tax bill if you own real estate in the county.

If you move to a different county or shop in a different county, the rate changes. This is most noticeable for people who live near county lines and shop across them regularly. Keeping track of which rate applies where can save money on large purchases.

Some online retailers calculate tax based on your billing address rather than your shipping address, which can result in the wrong rate being charged. If this happens, contact the retailer's customer service — they can often issue a refund for the difference. Always check your receipt or order confirmation to see what tax rate was applied.

Sales tax on online and mail orders

Florida requires online retailers to collect sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses, regardless of where the retailer is located. This applies to purchases from out-of-state companies, not just Florida businesses. The tax rate used is the rate for the county where the item is being delivered.

Some smaller retailers may not collect Florida sales tax at checkout, particularly if they are very small or based outside the United States. In those cases, Florida law technically requires the buyer to report and pay the tax themselves on their state tax return, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. For practical purposes, most major online retailers already collect the tax automatically.

If you pick up an online order in a store rather than having it shipped, the tax is based on the store location. This can matter if you order from a retailer with multiple locations and choose to pick up at a store in a county with a different tax rate than your home county.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a sales tax on clothing in Florida?

Yes. Unlike some states that exempt clothing, Florida taxes all apparel including shoes, hats, and accessories at the regular sales tax rate. There is no clothing exemption.

Do I pay sales tax on used items?

Sales tax on used goods depends on who is selling them. If you buy from a licensed retailer or used goods store, sales tax applies. Private sales between individuals are not taxed. Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are private sales and are not taxed, but sales through eBay or similar platforms where the seller is a business are taxed.

What about sales tax on car purchases?

Yes, Florida taxes vehicle purchases at the regular sales tax rate based on the county where you register the vehicle. The tax is calculated on the purchase price and is typically collected by the dealer at the time of sale. You pay it before you can get your registration.

Are digital products like e-books or software taxed?

Digital downloads of books, music, movies, and software are taxable in Florida at the regular sales tax rate. The tax is based on the county where you live or where the read is delivered to.

Do I have to pay sales tax on items I buy for my business?

Generally yes, unless you have a resale certificate. If you are buying items to resell to customers, you can provide a resale certificate to avoid paying sales tax at purchase. You then collect sales tax from your customers instead. If you are buying supplies or equipment for your own business use, you pay sales tax like any other buyer.