Florida's statewide sales tax is 6 percent

Florida charges a 6 percent sales tax on most goods and services. This is the base rate that applies everywhere in the state. However, your actual tax rate depends on where you make the purchase, because counties and municipalities can add their own local tax on top of the state rate.

The total you pay at checkout is the state rate plus any local additions. For example, if you buy something in Miami-Dade County, you pay 6 percent state tax plus 1 percent local tax, for a total of 7 percent. In Broward County, the local rate is different. The combined rate varies by location, so two identical purchases in different Florida counties will have different final prices.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but your total rate includes county and local additions that range from 0.5 to 1.5 percent depending on where you shop.
  • Most tangible goods are taxed, including clothing, groceries, and household items, but some categories like prescription medications and certain foods are exempt.
  • Services like haircuts, repairs, and restaurant meals are taxed in Florida, which differs from some other states.
  • The tax rate you see online or in a store's system reflects the location where the purchase happens, not where you live.

How local taxes add to the state rate

Each Florida county sets its own local surtax, which stacks on top of the 6 percent state rate. These local rates range from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent. Some counties have no additional local tax at all, while others use the maximum allowed. A few counties have multiple local taxes for different purposes — school funding, infrastructure, or tourism — that combine into a single checkout rate.

The combined rate is what matters when you pay. If you live or shop in a county with a 1 percent local surtax, your total is 7 percent. If your county has 1.5 percent, your total is 7.5 percent. You cannot avoid the local rate by shopping in a different part of the county; the rate depends on the merchant's location, not yours.

What is and is not taxed in Florida

Most physical items sold in Florida are subject to sales tax. This includes clothing, shoes, furniture, electronics, toys, and household goods. Groceries and food items are generally taxed at the full rate, though some specific foods have different treatment depending on how they are prepared or packaged.

Several categories are exempt from sales tax. Prescription medications are not taxed. Medical devices prescribed by a doctor are typically exempt. Certain agricultural products sold directly by farmers may be exempt. Newspapers and magazines are not taxed. Services like haircuts, car repairs, plumbing, and medical care are taxed in Florida, which is important to know because some states do not tax services.

Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed at the full rate. Takeout and delivery orders are taxed the same as dine-in meals. Alcohol purchases — beer, wine, and spirits — are taxed at the sales tax rate plus additional excise taxes that vary by type.

Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order something online from a retailer that has a physical location in Florida or meets certain sales thresholds, Florida sales tax applies to your order. Large national retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target collect Florida sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller online sellers may not collect it, though Florida law requires you to report and pay tax on those purchases yourself when you file your state tax return — a requirement many people do not know about.

When you order from a seller outside Florida with no Florida presence, the seller typically does not collect Florida tax. The responsibility to pay tax then falls on you as the buyer. This is called "use tax," and it is the same rate as sales tax. In practice, most individuals do not report use tax on personal purchases, though the law requires it.

How to find your exact local rate

Your total sales tax rate depends on your county and sometimes your city. The easiest way to find your exact rate is to check the Florida Department of Revenue website, which lists all county and local rates. You can also call your county tax collector's office, which maintains current rates for that county.

If you are a business owner or handle sales for a company, you need to know the exact rate for each location where you sell. The rate can change if a county or city passes a new local tax measure, so checking annually is wise. For personal shopping, you can estimate based on your county's known rate, but the exact amount depends on the specific address where the merchant is located.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clothing taxed in Florida?

Yes, clothing and shoes are taxed at the full sales tax rate. Florida does not have a clothing exemption like some states do. The tax applies whether you buy one item or many.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

Most groceries are taxed in Florida at the full rate. Some prepared foods and items sold in the deli section may have different treatment, but items you buy from the grocery shelf are generally taxable. Prescription medications are exempt.

What is the sales tax rate in my county?

Rates vary by county from 6 percent to 7.5 percent total. Check the Florida Department of Revenue website or call your county tax collector to find your exact rate. The rate depends on where the merchant is located, not where you live.

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

If the seller does not collect Florida tax, you technically owe use tax at the same rate. Most individuals do not report this on personal purchases, though the law requires it. Large retailers now collect tax on most orders shipped to Florida.

Are services like haircuts and repairs taxed?

Yes, services including haircuts, car repairs, plumbing, and similar work are taxed in Florida. This is different from some other states. The tax applies to the service charge, not necessarily to materials if they are itemized separately.