Yes, Florida has a sales tax, and it applies to most purchases
Florida's state sales tax rate is 6 percent. When you buy something at a store, online, or at a restaurant in Florida, you pay this tax on top of the listed price. Many counties add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate, so your total can range from 6 percent to 7.5 percent depending on where you are in the state.
The tax is collected by the seller at the point of sale and sent to the Florida Department of Revenue. You do not pay it separately — it is added to your receipt total. The rate has been 6 percent since 1992 and does not change based on income or purchase type, with specific exceptions listed below.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, and most counties add 0.5 to 1.5 percent on top of that.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and medical devices are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
- Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are exempt from sales tax during a back-to-school tax holiday in August.
- Services like haircuts, repairs, and labor are generally not subject to sales tax unless they are bundled with taxable goods.
- Online purchases are taxed the same way as in-store purchases if the seller has a physical presence in Florida.
What is exempt from Florida sales tax
Food and groceries are not taxed in Florida. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and other items you buy at a grocery store to prepare at home. However, prepared food — items you buy ready to eat, like restaurant meals, deli sandwiches, or hot pizza — is taxed at the full rate.
Prescription medications and certain medical devices are also exempt. This includes insulin, inhalers, diabetic testing supplies, and hearing aids. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed, but prescription items are not.
Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are exempt during Florida's back-to-school tax holiday, which runs for one week in August each year. The exact dates change annually, so check the Florida Department of Revenue website for the current year's dates. Items over $100 are taxed even during the holiday.
Services and labor are usually not taxed
A haircut, car repair, plumbing work, or house cleaning is generally not subject to sales tax in Florida. You pay for the labor or service itself without tax added. However, if the service includes materials or goods — such as a mechanic who charges you for both labor and parts — the parts portion is taxed.
The rule is straightforward: if you are paying for a service or labor alone, there is no sales tax. If goods are included, the goods are taxed but the labor is not. A plumber who charges $200 for labor and $100 for pipe fittings will tax only the $100 in materials.
How local sales tax works in Florida counties
On top of Florida's 6 percent state tax, most counties collect an additional local sales tax. This ranges from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent depending on the county. For example, Miami-Dade County adds 1 percent, so the total rate there is 7 percent. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) adds 1.5 percent, bringing the total to 7.5 percent.
The local tax is collected the same way as the state tax — added to your receipt at checkout. You do not file anything or pay it separately. The seller remits both the state and local portions to the Florida Department of Revenue, which distributes the local share to each county.
A few Florida counties have no additional local tax and charge only the 6 percent state rate. Union County is one example. If you live or shop in a county with no local tax, your rate is 6 percent on all taxable items.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you buy something online from a retailer that has a physical store or warehouse in Florida, you pay Florida sales tax. This includes major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, which all collect Florida tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses.
If you buy from a small online seller with no presence in Florida, the seller may not collect Florida tax at checkout. However, Florida law requires you to pay "use tax" on those purchases — it is the same rate as sales tax, and you are technically supposed to report it when you file your state income tax return. In practice, most individuals do not report use tax, but the obligation exists.
Digital products and subscriptions
Digital products — software, apps, e-books, and streaming subscriptions — are generally not taxed in Florida. You do not pay sales tax on a Kindle book, a Netflix subscription, or software you download. However, if you buy a physical item that contains digital content, like a DVD or a video game disc, that physical item is taxed.
This distinction matters when you are comparing prices. A digital download costs less than the physical version partly because there is no sales tax on the download.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Florida?
No, groceries are exempt. This includes bread, milk, produce, meat, and other food you buy to cook at home. Prepared food — restaurant meals, deli sandwiches, hot pizza — is taxed at the full rate.
What is the total sales tax rate where I live?
Florida's state rate is 6 percent. Add your county's local rate to find your total. You can find your county's rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website by entering your county name or ZIP code.
Do I have to pay sales tax on a service like a haircut or car repair?
No, labor and services are not taxed. If the service includes materials or parts, only the materials are taxed. A mechanic charges tax on parts but not on labor time.
Is sales tax added to the price shown on the shelf?
Yes. The shelf price does not include tax. Tax is added at checkout, so your total receipt will be higher than the listed price.
Do I pay Florida sales tax on online purchases?
If the seller has a physical presence in Florida, yes — tax is collected at checkout. If the seller has no Florida location, tax may not be collected, but you are technically required to pay use tax on your state income tax return.