Florida's statewide sales tax rate is 6 percent

Florida charges a 6 percent sales tax on most retail purchases. This is the base rate that applies across the entire state. However, your actual tax at checkout will often be higher because counties can add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate.

The combined rate you pay depends on which county you're in. For example, if you buy something in Miami-Dade County, you pay 7 percent total (6 percent state plus 1 percent local). In Hillsborough County, it's 7.5 percent. In Duval County, it's 6.5 percent. The local portion ranges from 0.5 percent to 2 percent depending on the county.

Sales tax is added at the register and is not included in the price tag. The amount you see on the shelf is the pre-tax price.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but your total tax rate includes a county add-on that ranges from 0.5 to 2 percent.
  • Combined sales tax rates across Florida range from 6 percent to 8.5 percent depending on your county.
  • Sales tax applies to most tangible goods but not to services, groceries, or prescription medications.
  • You can find your exact local rate by entering your county name or ZIP code on the Florida Department of Revenue website.

Which counties have the highest and lowest rates

The lowest combined rate in Florida is 6 percent, which applies in counties that have not added a local tax. These include Glades, Gilchrist, Lafayette, and a few others. Most counties have added at least 0.5 percent, bringing their rate to 6.5 percent or higher.

The highest combined rates are 8 percent and 8.5 percent. Broward County charges 8 percent total. Pinellas County charges 8.5 percent total. These higher rates exist because those counties have stacked multiple local tax increases over time.

If you live or shop near a county line, the rate can change by a full percentage point depending on which side of the line you cross. This matters most for large purchases.

What items are taxed and what are not

Sales tax in Florida applies to most things you buy in a store: clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, books, and household goods. It also applies to prepared food, restaurant meals, and beverages.

Sales tax does not apply to groceries you buy to cook at home. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, cereal, and canned goods. The rule is simple: if it's food you prepare yourself, it's not taxed. If it's food prepared for you to eat right away, it is taxed.

Prescription medications are not taxed. Over-the-counter medicines like aspirin or cold medicine are also not taxed. Services are generally not taxed either — haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing work do not have sales tax added, though some services have their own specific tax rules.

Digital goods and subscriptions (streaming services, software, e-books) are taxed in Florida. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is built into the pump price rather than added at checkout.

How to find your exact local rate

The Florida Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You can enter your county name or ZIP code and see the exact combined rate that applies there.

You can also call your county tax collector's office directly. They can tell you the rate for your specific address and explain any local tax changes that may have happened recently.

If you shop online and the seller ships to Florida, they should charge you the sales tax rate for the address where the item is being delivered. This means the tax rate depends on where you live, not where the seller is located.

Why rates differ by county

Florida's constitution allows each county to vote on adding a local sales tax to fund specific projects or services. Some counties have added tax for schools, infrastructure, or public transportation. Others have not added any local tax at all.

When a county votes to add a local tax, it typically lasts for a set number of years — often 10 or 15 years — and then voters decide whether to renew it. This is why some counties have multiple local tax rates stacked on top of each other, and why rates can change over time.

The state does not control these local rates. Each county makes its own decision about whether to add tax and how much.

Sales tax on online and mail orders

If you order something online and have it shipped to a Florida address, the seller must charge you Florida sales tax. This applies whether the seller is based in Florida or anywhere else in the country. The tax rate used is the one for your delivery address.

Some online sellers may not charge tax at checkout, but Florida law requires you to pay sales tax on these purchases. If you buy something online without tax being charged, you may owe "use tax" — which is essentially the same as sales tax but paid directly to the state. In practice, most people do not report use tax, but it is technically owed.

Mail orders follow the same rule as online orders. The seller should charge tax based on your delivery address in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida charge sales tax on groceries?

No. Groceries you buy to prepare at home are not taxed. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. However, prepared foods like deli items, hot foods, and restaurant meals are taxed.

What is the sales tax rate in my county?

The rate depends on which county you live in and ranges from 6 percent to 8.5 percent. Use the Florida Department of Revenue's online lookup tool, enter your ZIP code or county name, and it will show your exact combined rate.

Do I pay sales tax on services like haircuts or car repairs?

No. Most services in Florida are not subject to sales tax. Haircuts, auto repair, plumbing, and similar services do not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a product as part of the service (like hair products at a salon), that product may be taxed.

Is sales tax included in the price tag?

No. The price on the shelf or tag is the pre-tax price. Sales tax is calculated and added at checkout. The amount you pay at the register will be higher than the price tag.

Do I owe sales tax on items I buy online from out-of-state sellers?

Yes. If you have an item shipped to a Florida address, you owe Florida sales tax on it, even if the seller is located outside Florida. The seller should charge tax based on your delivery address. If they do not, you technically owe use tax to Florida, though it is rarely enforced for individual purchases.