Florida charges 6% state sales tax on most goods, plus any local tax your county adds

Florida's base sales tax rate is 6%. This is the state portion only. Most counties add their own local sales tax on top, ranging from 0.5% to 2%, which means your total rate at checkout is usually between 6% and 8.5% depending on where you shop. The tax applies to tangible goods — things you can touch and take home — but not to services like haircuts, repairs, or professional fees.

The tax is collected by the retailer at the point of sale. You do not send it to the state yourself. The store adds it to your bill, and the store is responsible for sending what they collected to the Florida Department of Revenue each month.

What you buy matters more than where you live. A grocery item taxed in one county is taxed the same way in another. But a restaurant meal taxed in Miami-Dade County (7%) costs more in tax than the same meal in a county with a 6.5% rate.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6%, and your county adds between 0.5% and 2% on top, making your total rate between 6% and 8.5%.
  • Sales tax applies to goods you buy in stores but not to most services like haircuts, car repairs, or medical visits.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
  • The retailer collects the tax at checkout and sends it to the state; you do not file or pay separately.
  • Your county's rate depends on local voter approval and local tax ordinances, so rates vary across Florida.

What is and is not taxed in Florida

Tangible goods — items you can hold and carry out of a store — are taxed. This includes clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, books, and most food and beverages. A bottle of soda at a gas station is taxed. A sandwich from a deli counter is taxed. A shirt from a department store is taxed.

Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, plumbing repair, dental cleaning, or car wash is not subject to sales tax. However, if you buy a product as part of a service — like paint that a contractor applies to your house — the product portion may be taxed depending on the contract structure.

Groceries have a special rule. Unprepared food you cook at home — raw vegetables, meat, bread, milk, eggs — is not taxed. But prepared food meant to eat right away is taxed. Hot food from a deli, restaurant meals, and food from a concession stand all have sales tax added.

Prescription medications and certain medical equipment like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and diabetic supplies are exempt. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed as regular goods.

How county taxes stack on top of state tax

Florida allows each county to add its own local sales tax through voter approval. The state collects both the state and local portions together at the register, then distributes the local share to the county. You see one combined rate on your receipt, but it is made up of two separate taxes.

County rates range from 0.5% to 2%. Duval County (Jacksonville) is 6.5% total. Miami-Dade County is 7%. Hillsborough County (Tampa) is 7.5%. Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) is 7%. These rates can change if voters approve a new local tax or if an existing one expires. Check your county's tax collector website or ask a cashier if you need your exact local rate.

The local tax goes to county and municipal services. Some counties use it for schools, infrastructure, or public transportation. The breakdown depends on what voters approved in that county.

When you do not pay sales tax

You do not pay sales tax on services. Haircuts, medical visits, legal advice, accounting, plumbing, electrical work, and car repairs have no sales tax. If you hire someone to do work, the labor is not taxed.

You do not pay sales tax on most business-to-business purchases if you have a resale certificate. If you own a store and buy inventory to resell, you do not pay sales tax on that purchase — your customers pay it when they buy from you. You need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue and provide a resale certificate to the wholesaler.

You do not pay sales tax on certain items for people with disabilities. Mobility aids, hearing aids, and other equipment prescribed by a doctor may be exempt. The retailer needs documentation of the disability and the medical necessity.

How to find your exact local sales tax rate

Your total sales tax rate depends on your county and sometimes your city. The easiest way to find it is to ask a cashier or look at a recent receipt. The rate is printed on every receipt in Florida.

You can also visit the Florida Department of Revenue website and search by county, or call your county tax collector's office. Many county websites have a tax rate lookup tool. If you shop in multiple counties, write down the rates so you know what to expect.

Rates can change if voters approve a new local tax or if a temporary tax expires. These changes are usually announced months in advance, but checking your county's tax collector website keeps you current.

Sales tax on online and mail orders

Florida requires online retailers to collect and send sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses, even if the company is based outside the state. This applies to most major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. You pay the same rate as you would in a physical store in your county.

Some small sellers may not collect Florida tax, but Florida law says you owe the tax anyway. In practice, this is rarely enforced for individual purchases, but it is the law. If a retailer does not collect tax, you are technically responsible for reporting and paying it yourself, though most people do not.

Mail orders and catalog purchases follow the same rule as online orders. If the seller ships to Florida, they should collect tax based on your delivery address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clothing taxed in Florida?

Yes. Clothing is subject to the full sales tax rate in your county. There is no clothing exemption in Florida, unlike some other states. A shirt, pants, shoes, and accessories all have sales tax added at checkout.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

It depends on what you buy. Unprepared groceries you cook at home — raw meat, vegetables, bread, milk, eggs, canned goods — are not taxed. Hot or prepared food meant to eat right away, like deli sandwiches, restaurant meals, or food from a concession stand, is taxed. Soda and candy are also taxed.

What if I buy something online from out of state?

If the retailer ships to your Florida address, they must collect Florida sales tax based on your county. Major retailers do this automatically. Smaller sellers may not, but Florida law says you owe the tax. In practice, enforcement on individual purchases is rare.

Are prescription drugs taxed?

No. Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax in Florida. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, cold medicine, and allergy pills are taxed as regular goods.

Can I get a refund of sales tax I already paid?

Generally, no. Sales tax is final once you pay it. However, if you return an item and get a refund, the store refunds the tax along with the purchase price. If you believe you were overcharged, contact the retailer first. Disputes with the state are handled through the Florida Department of Revenue.