Florida charges sales tax on most purchases, and the state rate is 6 percent
Florida has a state sales tax of 6 percent that applies to the sale of most goods and some services. On top of that, most counties add their own local sales tax, which ranges from 0.5 percent to 2 percent depending on where you live. Your total sales tax rate — state plus local — typically falls between 6 and 8.5 percent, though the exact amount depends on your county.
When you buy something at a store or online, the sales tax is calculated on the purchase price before you pay. If a shirt costs $20 and your combined sales tax rate is 7 percent, you pay $21.40 at checkout. The retailer collects the tax and sends it to the state and local tax authorities.
Sales tax in Florida applies to tangible goods — things you can touch and take home — as well as certain services. It does not explore to groceries, prescription medications, or most medical services, which are taxed at a lower rate or not at all.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, and most counties add 0.5 to 2 percent on top of that for a combined rate between 6 and 8.5 percent.
- Groceries, prescription drugs, and most medical services are either tax-exempt or taxed at a lower rate than general merchandise.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers are subject to Florida sales tax if the seller has a physical presence or meets certain sales thresholds in the state.
- Some items like clothing under $110 per item are exempt from sales tax during Florida's annual tax-free shopping week in August.
How county sales tax works in Florida
Each Florida county sets its own local sales tax rate within state limits. This means the total tax you pay varies depending on which county you shop in. For example, Miami-Dade County has a combined state and local rate of 7 percent, while some other counties reach 8.5 percent.
When you make a purchase, the retailer applies both the state rate and your county's local rate to the transaction. The retailer then splits the collected tax between the state and the county. You do not pay these separately — they are combined into one total at checkout.
If you buy something in one county and use it in another, you pay tax based on where the purchase happens, not where you live or use the item. This matters most for large purchases like vehicles or furniture, where the location of the sale can affect your total cost.
What is and is not taxed in Florida
Most physical items you buy in Florida are subject to sales tax. Clothing, electronics, furniture, appliances, and toys all carry the full sales tax rate. Services like haircuts, repairs, and restaurant meals are also taxed.
Several categories are either exempt or taxed at a lower rate. Groceries — unprepared food you cook at home — are not taxed. Prescription medications filled by a licensed pharmacist are exempt. Most medical services performed by doctors, dentists, and therapists are not subject to sales tax. Certain items like prosthetic devices and mobility aids for people with disabilities are also exempt.
Hot prepared food, even if it comes from a grocery store deli, is taxed as a restaurant meal. Alcohol and tobacco products are taxed at the regular rate, though they may have additional excise taxes on top. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is built into the pump price rather than added at checkout.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you order something online from a retailer outside Florida, you may still owe Florida sales tax. The rule depends on whether the seller has a nexus — a physical connection — in Florida. This includes a warehouse, office, or employees in the state. If a seller has nexus in Florida, they must collect and send Florida sales tax on your purchase, even if the company is based elsewhere.
Many large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have warehouses or distribution centers in Florida, so they collect Florida sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller sellers without a physical presence in Florida were not required to collect sales tax until recently, but federal law now requires sellers with more than $600,000 in annual sales to collect sales tax in states where they ship, regardless of whether they have a physical location there.
If you buy from a seller who does not collect Florida sales tax, you may be responsible for paying it yourself through a process called use tax. In practice, most individuals do not report use tax on personal purchases, though the law technically requires it.
Tax-free shopping week and special exemptions
Florida holds a tax-free shopping week each August, usually for one week. During this period, most clothing items priced under $110 per item, shoes, and school supplies under $15 per item are sold without sales tax. This exemption applies to items you buy in stores and online from retailers that participate.
The exact dates change each year, so you can find the current year's dates on the Florida Department of Revenue website. Not all retailers participate, though most major stores do. The exemption applies to the item itself — if a shirt costs $100, you pay nothing; if it costs $120, you pay tax on the full amount because it exceeds the limit.
Beyond tax-free week, Florida offers permanent exemptions for specific groups and items. Disabled veterans can purchase certain items tax-free. Nonprofit organizations registered with the state can buy items for charitable purposes without paying sales tax. Agricultural equipment used directly in farming is also exempt.
How to find your county's sales tax rate
Your combined sales tax rate depends on your county. The easiest way to find it is to enter your address or zip code into the Florida Department of Revenue's sales tax rate lookup tool on their website. You can also call the department or visit your county tax collector's office.
If you live near a county line, remember that the rate that applies is the one where you make the purchase, not where you live. If you shop just across the county line in a lower-tax county, you pay that county's rate. This can make a difference on large purchases.
Retailers are required to display the sales tax rate and the total amount due before you complete a purchase. If you notice a discrepancy between what you expected and what you are charged, ask the cashier or customer service representative to explain the rate applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?
No. Unprepared food you buy at a grocery store — produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods — is not subject to sales tax. However, hot prepared food, restaurant meals, and items like candy and soda are taxed at the regular rate.
Is sales tax charged on prescription medications?
No. Prescription medications filled by a licensed pharmacist are exempt from Florida sales tax. Over-the-counter medications and vitamins are taxed at the regular rate.
What happens if I buy something online from a company with no warehouse in Florida?
If the seller has no physical presence in Florida and does not meet the $600,000 sales threshold, they may not collect Florida sales tax. You would technically owe use tax on the purchase, but most individuals do not report it. Larger sellers must now collect sales tax regardless of physical presence.
Can I use a sales tax exemption certificate to buy items without paying tax?
Only if you are a registered business, nonprofit, or government entity. Individual consumers cannot use exemption certificates. You must meet specific criteria and register with the Florida Department of Revenue to use one.
Does Florida tax services like haircuts and car repairs?
Yes. Most services in Florida are subject to sales tax, including haircuts, repairs, cleaning, and personal services. The tax applies to the service charge, not any materials you provide separately.