Florida's statewide sales tax is 6%, but your total rate depends on your county
Florida charges a base sales tax of 6% on most purchases. However, most counties add their own local tax on top of that, so the rate you actually pay ranges from 6% to 7.5% depending on where you shop. The county you're in — not the state as a whole — determines your final rate at checkout.
This matters because a $100 purchase costs different amounts in different parts of Florida. In a county with only the state rate, you pay $106. In a county with the maximum local addition, you pay $107.50. Over time and across multiple purchases, that difference adds up. When you're buying something expensive — furniture, appliances, a car — knowing your exact local rate before you go to the register helps you budget accurately.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's base state sales tax is 6%, but all 67 of Florida's counties add a local tax on top of it.
- Your total sales tax rate ranges from 6% to 7.5% depending on which county you make the purchase in.
- Local tax rates are set by county governments and can change, so the rate in your county may differ from a neighboring county.
- Sales tax applies to most goods and some services, but groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are typically exempt.
County-by-county sales tax rates
Every Florida county adds a local surtax to the state's 6% base rate. The local portion ranges from 0.5% to 1.5%, which means your total rate is somewhere between 6.5% and 7.5%. The exact rate depends on which county you're in when you make the purchase.
For example, Miami-Dade County charges 7%, while Broward County charges 7%. Hillsborough County (Tampa area) charges 7.5%. Duval County (Jacksonville area) charges 7%. The difference is small per transaction but meaningful over a year of shopping. If you live near a county line, you might notice that the same item costs slightly less in one county than the other.
To find your county's exact rate, search online for "[your county name] sales tax rate" or ask a cashier. County rates do not change frequently, but they can be adjusted by county commissioners, so checking before a large purchase is worth the effort. Your county's tax collector's office also publishes the current rate on its website.
What is and isn't taxed in Florida
Sales tax in Florida applies to tangible goods — anything physical you can touch and take home. Clothing, electronics, furniture, and groceries all get taxed at your local rate. Some services are also taxed, including repair services, installation, and certain professional services. When you buy a shirt or a television, you pay sales tax. When you hire someone to fix your air conditioner or install new flooring, that service is usually taxed as well.
Several categories are exempt from sales tax. Groceries and food items meant for home consumption are not taxed. Prescription medications are exempt. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and oxygen equipment — is also exempt. Certain educational materials and some agricultural equipment have exemptions as well.
Services like haircuts, restaurant meals, and hotel stays are taxed. The tax on restaurant meals and hotel stays is sometimes called a "meals tax" or "tourist development tax," but it works the same way as regular sales tax — it's added at checkout. A meal you eat at a restaurant is taxed, but groceries you buy to cook at home are not.
How local sales tax revenue is used
When you pay sales tax in Florida, the money goes to both the state and your county. The state keeps its 6%, and your county keeps its local portion. Counties use this revenue for schools, infrastructure, emergency services, and public transportation. The local tax you pay stays in your county and funds services you use directly.
Some counties have dedicated portions of their local sales tax for specific purposes. For example, a county might allocate a portion of its local tax to schools or to a transit system. The breakdown varies by county and is set by county commissioners. If you want to know exactly where your county's sales tax money goes, your county's budget office publishes this information annually.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you buy something online from a retailer that has a physical location in Florida, sales tax is charged at your local rate. If you buy from an out-of-state retailer with no Florida presence, the retailer may not charge sales tax at checkout — but Florida law requires you to pay "use tax" on that purchase when you file your state tax return.
In practice, most people do not report use tax on individual purchases. However, large purchases or regular buying patterns from out-of-state sellers can trigger a use tax bill. If you're buying something expensive from out of state, it's worth understanding this rule before checkout. The use tax rate is the same as your local sales tax rate would have been.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sales tax the same everywhere in Florida?
No. The state rate is 6% everywhere, but each county adds its own local tax. Your total rate depends on which county you're shopping in. Neighboring counties can have different rates, sometimes differing by 0.5% or more.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
No. Food items meant for home consumption — including produce, meat, dairy, and packaged groceries — are exempt from sales tax in Florida. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and items from a deli counter are taxed.
What's the difference between sales tax and use tax?
Sales tax is charged by the seller at the point of purchase. Use tax is a tax you owe on items you buy from out-of-state sellers who don't charge sales tax. Legally, you're supposed to report and pay use tax on your state return, though enforcement is limited for small purchases.
Can sales tax rates change?
Yes. County commissioners can vote to change the local sales tax rate, though this happens infrequently. If you're planning a large purchase, checking your county's current rate is a good idea, especially if you haven't checked in several years.
Do prescription medications have sales tax?
No. Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax in Florida. Over-the-counter medications and vitamins are taxed, but anything that requires a prescription is not.