Florida's current sales tax rate
Florida's statewide sales tax is 6 percent. Most counties add a discretionary surtax on top of that, which ranges from 0.5 percent to 2.5 percent depending on where you live. Your total sales tax rate is the combination of both — so if you live in a county with a 1 percent surtax, you pay 7 percent total at checkout.
The statewide 6 percent has been in place since 1983. County surtaxes vary because each county sets its own rate through voter approval or local legislation. A few counties have no additional surtax, meaning you pay exactly 6 percent; others layer on multiple surtaxes for specific purposes like infrastructure or schools, pushing the total to 8.5 percent or higher.
Sales tax applies to most tangible goods — clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture. It does not apply to services like haircuts, car repairs, or legal advice, though some service-related items (like a haircut plus a product you buy) may be taxed on the product portion only.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's base sales tax is 6 percent statewide, but your actual rate depends on your county's additional surtax, which ranges from 0 to 2.5 percent.
- You can find your exact local rate by entering your zip code on the Florida Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer in your area.
- Sales tax applies to most physical goods but not to services, though some counties tax specific items like prepared food differently.
- Grocery food items are taxed at a reduced rate of 6 percent (no county surtax added), while prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed at the full local rate.
County-by-county surtax rates
Each Florida county sets its own surtax, so the total you pay varies by location. Miami-Dade County adds 1 percent, bringing the total to 7 percent. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) adds 1.5 percent for a total of 7.5 percent. Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area) adds 1 percent for 7 percent total. Duval County (Jacksonville) adds 1.5 percent for 7.5 percent.
Some counties have no surtax at all — you pay only the 6 percent state rate. Others, like Orange County (Orlando), add 1.5 percent for 7.5 percent total. A few counties have stacked multiple surtaxes for different purposes, which can push rates to 8 percent or higher. The fastest way to find your exact rate is to look up your zip code on the Florida Department of Revenue website or call your county tax collector's office.
What items are taxed and what are not
Sales tax in Florida applies to most goods you buy in a store — clothing, shoes, electronics, furniture, toys, books, and household items all get taxed at your local rate. Groceries (unprepared food you cook at home) are taxed at 6 percent statewide with no county surtax added, so they are cheaper than other items. Prepared food — sandwiches, pizza, restaurant meals, food from a deli counter — is taxed at your full local rate.
Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, car repair, plumbing work, or doctor visit has no sales tax. However, if you buy a product as part of a service (like a haircut plus a bottle of shampoo the stylist sells you), the product portion is taxed. Prescription medications are not taxed; over-the-counter medications and vitamins are taxed like other goods.
Some items have special rules. Newspapers and magazines are not taxed. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is built into the pump price and shown separately on your receipt. Alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) is taxed at the regular sales tax rate, though it also has separate excise taxes that are not part of sales tax.
How sales tax is calculated at checkout
When you buy something, the retailer multiplies the price by your local sales tax rate and adds that amount to your total. If you buy a $100 item in a county with 7 percent sales tax, you pay $107. The math is straightforward: price × tax rate = tax amount, then add it to the price.
Retailers are required to show the sales tax separately on your receipt so you can see how much tax you paid. If you buy multiple items, each item's tax is calculated individually and then added together. Some items (like groceries) may have a different tax rate than others (like clothing), so your receipt might show two different tax amounts.
Online purchases from out-of-state sellers used to avoid Florida sales tax, but that changed in 2021. Now most online retailers must collect and send Florida sales tax to the state, even if they do not have a physical store here. The tax is still calculated based on your delivery address, so you pay your local rate.
Tax-exempt purchases and who qualifies
Certain organizations and people do not pay sales tax on specific purchases. Religious organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies can buy items tax-free if they have a resale certificate or tax-exempt status. Schools and universities buy materials tax-free. Farmers can buy equipment and seeds without sales tax.
Individual shoppers do not get a blanket tax exemption just by being a resident. However, if you are buying something for resale (you own a business and are buying inventory), you can use a resale certificate to avoid paying tax at wholesale. You then collect tax from your customers when you sell the item.
Some states offer sales tax holidays for specific items like school supplies or clothing on certain dates. Florida does not have a regular statewide sales tax holiday, though the state legislature occasionally passes temporary exemptions for disaster relief or specific purposes. Check the Florida Department of Revenue website if you think a purchase might may have access to for a temporary exemption.
Finding your exact local sales tax rate
Your sales tax rate depends entirely on your county and sometimes your city or special district. The easiest way to find it is to visit the Florida Department of Revenue website and use their sales tax rate lookup tool — you enter your zip code and it shows your exact rate. You can also call your county tax collector's office and ask for the current rate in your area.
If you are shopping online, the retailer's website should calculate your local tax based on your shipping address at checkout. If it does not, you can look up your rate before you buy so you know what your total will be. Knowing your rate is especially useful if you are budgeting for a large purchase or comparing prices between counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida have sales tax on groceries?
Yes, but at a reduced rate. Unprepared groceries — items you cook at home like meat, vegetables, bread, and milk — are taxed at 6 percent statewide with no county surtax added. Prepared food from a deli, restaurant, or takeout is taxed at your full local rate, which includes the county surtax.
Do I pay sales tax on online orders shipped to Florida?
Yes. Most online retailers now collect Florida sales tax based on your delivery address, even if they do not have a store in Florida. The tax rate is your local rate for the zip code where the item is being shipped. A few small sellers may not collect tax, but you are technically responsible for paying it to Florida if they do not.
What is the difference between sales tax and excise tax?
Sales tax is a percentage of the purchase price and applies to most goods. Excise tax is a specific tax on certain items like gasoline, alcohol, and cigarettes. Both are added to your total, but excise tax is usually a fixed amount per unit rather than a percentage. In Florida, both appear on your receipt.
Can I get a refund of sales tax I already paid?
Generally no, unless you return the item. If you return something within the store's return window, the refund includes the sales tax you paid. If you bought something by mistake or changed your mind, returning it is the only way to recover the tax. Florida does not offer sales tax refunds for other reasons.
Is there a sales tax holiday in Florida?
Florida does not have a regular annual sales tax holiday. The state legislature occasionally passes temporary exemptions for specific purposes like disaster relief or back-to-school items, but these are not may provide every year. Check the Florida Department of Revenue website or your county tax collector's office if you think a purchase might may have access to for a temporary exemption.