Florida's statewide sales tax is 6 percent, but your total rate depends on your county

Florida charges a base sales tax of 6 percent on most purchases. However, most counties add their own local tax on top of that, which means what you actually pay ranges from 6 percent to 7.5 percent depending on where you shop. The county you're in matters more than the state you're in — a purchase in Miami-Dade County costs more in tax than the same purchase in Duval County.

The state collects the 6 percent. Counties collect their own local portion, which varies by county and sometimes by what you're buying. A few counties have no additional local tax at all, while others add up to 1.5 percent on top of the state rate.

You don't need to do anything to pay sales tax — it's added at the register. But knowing your county's rate helps you understand what you'll actually pay and whether an online purchase from out of state might cost differently.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but your total rate is 6 percent plus your county's local tax, which ranges from 0 to 1.5 percent.
  • The county where you make the purchase determines the rate, not where you live or where the business is based.
  • Most counties in Florida add between 0.5 and 1.5 percent in local tax, bringing the total to between 6.5 and 7.5 percent.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Florida, even though other items are taxed.

County-by-county rates and where to find yours

Florida has 67 counties, and each one sets its own local sales tax rate. The state publishes the combined rate for each county, so you can look up exactly what you'll pay where you shop.

Counties with no local tax (6 percent total): Gilchrist, Glades, and Union. Counties with the highest local tax (7.5 percent total): Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington. Most other counties fall somewhere in between at 6.5 or 7 percent.

The Florida Department of Revenue maintains the official list of rates by county. You can also call your county tax collector's office or check your county's website — the rate is usually posted on the homepage or in a FAQ section.

What is and isn't taxed in Florida

Sales tax applies to most goods and services, but Florida exempts certain items that are considered necessities. Groceries — food you cook at home — are not taxed. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed, even if you take them home.

Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax. Over-the-counter medicines like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — such as wheelchairs, crutches, or oxygen equipment — is usually exempt, but you may need to show a prescription or doctor's letter.

Clothing and shoes are taxed in Florida, unlike some other states. Diapers, feminine hygiene products, and other personal care items are taxed. Gasoline is taxed at the pump, but the tax is a per-gallon excise tax, not a percentage sales tax.

Services are sometimes taxed and sometimes not. Haircuts, repairs, and labor are generally taxed. However, some services like medical care, dental work, and legal services are exempt.

How sales tax works on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order something online from a Florida business, Florida sales tax applies based on where the item ships, not where the business is located. If it ships to your address in Broward County, you pay Broward's rate (7.5 percent).

If you order from an out-of-state business, the rules depend on whether that business has a physical presence in Florida. Large online retailers like Amazon now collect Florida sales tax on most items shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller retailers may not collect it, though Florida law says you owe "use tax" on those purchases — a tax equal to sales tax that you're supposed to report on your state income tax return. In practice, most people don't report use tax on small purchases, and the state doesn't pursue individual shoppers for it.

If you travel to another state and buy something, you pay that state's sales tax. You don't owe Florida tax on it when you bring it home, as long as it's for personal use.

Sales tax on specific categories

Cars and vehicles: Sales tax applies when you buy a car in Florida. The tax is calculated on the purchase price and is usually paid at the time of registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles, not at the dealership. The rate is your county's combined rate.

Rental cars: Rental cars are taxed at a different rate than purchases. Florida charges a 6 percent sales tax on car rentals, plus a 2.5 percent rental surcharge, plus any local taxes. The total can reach 10 percent or higher depending on the county and the rental company's location.

Hotel rooms: Hotel stays are taxed at the local sales tax rate, plus a tourist development tax that varies by county. In Miami-Dade, for example, the total can be 13 percent or higher. Check your hotel bill — the tax is usually listed separately.

Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits are subject to sales tax plus excise taxes. The excise tax is a per-unit tax set by the state, not a percentage. You pay both.

How to calculate what you'll pay

To find your total sales tax rate, add Florida's 6 percent state tax to your county's local rate. If you live in Orange County, which has a 1.5 percent local tax, your total rate is 7.5 percent. If you live in Gilchrist County, which has no local tax, your rate is 6 percent.

To calculate the tax on a purchase, multiply the price by your rate as a decimal. A $100 item in Orange County costs $100 × 0.075 = $7.50 in tax, for a total of $107.50. A $100 item in Gilchrist County costs $100 × 0.06 = $6 in tax, for a total of $106.

Most registers calculate this automatically, so you'll see the total on your receipt. If you're budgeting for a large purchase or comparing prices between counties, doing the math yourself beforehand can help you understand the final cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida have sales tax on groceries?

No. Food you buy at a grocery store to cook at home — including bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods — is not taxed. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and items like candy, soda, and hot deli items are taxed.

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

Sales tax is collected when you buy something in Florida. Use tax is a tax you owe on items you buy from out of state and bring into Florida, equal to Florida's sales tax rate. Most people don't report use tax on small purchases, and the state focuses enforcement on businesses rather than individual shoppers.

Do I pay sales tax when I buy something online from Amazon or another big retailer?

Yes, most large online retailers now collect Florida sales tax on items shipped to Florida addresses. The tax is based on your delivery address, not where the retailer is located. Smaller retailers may not collect it, in which case you technically owe use tax, though enforcement is rare for individuals.

Why is my hotel bill so much higher than the room rate?

Hotels charge sales tax plus a tourist development tax that varies by county. In some counties, the combined tax can be 12 to 13 percent or higher. The tax is usually shown separately on your bill.

Do I pay sales tax on a car purchase in Florida?

Yes. Sales tax applies to the purchase price of a vehicle and is paid when you register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles, not at the dealership. The rate is your county's combined sales tax rate.