Florida charges 6% state sales tax on most goods, plus a local tax that ranges from 0.5% to 2.5% depending on your county

When you buy something in Florida, you pay the state's base rate of 6% plus your county's local addition. The total you see at checkout ranges from 6.5% to 8.5% across the state. Miami-Dade County charges 7%, for example, while Duval County (Jacksonville) charges 6.5%. The tax applies to physical items you take home — clothes, groceries, electronics, furniture — but not to services like haircuts, car repairs, or restaurant meals eaten on premises.

The tax is collected by the business at the register and sent to the Florida Department of Revenue. You do not send it in yourself. The rate has stayed at 6% since 1992, though individual counties have raised their local portions several times.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6%, and your county adds between 0.5% and 2.5%, making your total tax rate between 6.5% and 8.5%.
  • Sales tax applies to goods you buy but not to services, and not to groceries, prescription medications, or certain medical equipment.
  • The business collects and pays the tax to the state — you do not file anything yourself.
  • Your county determines the local rate, so the tax you pay depends on where you live or shop, not where the business is based.

What is and is not taxed in Florida

Most physical products are taxed: clothing, household items, toys, tools, and electronics. Groceries for home consumption are not taxed — milk, bread, vegetables, and canned goods are tax-free. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed, even if you take them to go. Medicine prescribed by a doctor is not taxed, but over-the-counter items like vitamins and pain relievers are.

Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, plumbing repair, dental work, or car wash is not subject to sales tax. However, if you buy a physical product as part of that service — like a haircut plus a bottle of shampoo — the shampoo is taxed but the labor is not. Utilities (electricity, water, gas) are taxed at a lower rate of 5.92%, not the full sales tax rate.

How local county taxes work

Florida allows each county to add its own sales tax on top of the state's 6%. These local rates fund schools, infrastructure, and county services. Broward County charges 1%, Hillsborough County charges 1.5%, and Orange County (Orlando) charges 1.5%. A few counties charge 2.5%, the maximum allowed. You can look up your exact county rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website or ask a cashier.

The local tax applies wherever you shop in that county. If you live in Pinellas County (6.5% total) and drive to Hillsborough County (7.5% total) to shop, you pay Hillsborough's rate at checkout. Online purchases are more complicated — see the section below on remote sales.

Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order from an out-of-state website, Florida sales tax may or may not apply depending on whether the seller has a physical presence in Florida. Large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target collect Florida sales tax on all orders shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller sellers or those based outside Florida may not collect it, though Florida law says you technically owe the tax anyway — most people do not pay it, and the state does not pursue individual buyers.

If you buy from a Florida-based online seller, you pay the sales tax rate for your county, just as you would in a physical store. Digital products like e-books, software, and streaming subscriptions are generally not taxed in Florida.

Who collects and where the money goes

The business or retailer collects sales tax at the point of sale and holds it until the end of the month. They then file a return with the Florida Department of Revenue and send in the money they collected. Businesses file monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on how much tax they collect — high-volume retailers file monthly.

The state keeps the 6% state portion and distributes the local portion to each county. Counties use this money for schools, roads, emergency services, and other public needs. Some counties have voter-approved sales tax increases that are temporary and set to expire on a specific date — check your county's website if you want to know whether a local rate increase is permanent or temporary.

Special situations and exemptions

Certain groups and purchases are exempt from sales tax. Nonprofit organizations can register for exemption and do not pay tax on purchases for their operations. Resellers who buy goods to resell them can use a resale certificate to avoid paying tax at wholesale, then collect tax from the end customer. Agricultural equipment and seeds used in farming are exempt.

If you are a Florida resident and buy something out of state for use in Florida, you may owe "use tax" — essentially the same rate as sales tax — though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. Businesses are expected to track and pay use tax on out-of-state purchases, but most do not unless they are audited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sales tax rate in my county?

Florida's state rate is 6%, and your county adds between 0.5% and 2.5%. Your total rate ranges from 6.5% to 8.5%. You can find your exact county rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website by entering your county name, or ask a cashier at any store.

Why do groceries not have sales tax but restaurant food does?

Florida law exempts groceries bought for home consumption to reduce the tax burden on basic food needs. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed because they are considered a service, not a necessity. The line is whether you are eating it there or taking it home — takeout pizza is taxed, but a frozen pizza from the grocery store is not.

Do I pay sales tax if I order something online from outside Florida?

It depends on the seller. Large national retailers collect Florida sales tax on all shipments to Florida. Smaller or out-of-state sellers may not. If tax is not collected, Florida law says you owe it, but the state does not pursue individual buyers for unpaid use tax on personal purchases.

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

No, sales tax is not refundable. If you return an item and get your money back, the store also refunds the tax you paid. If you paid tax on something you later find out should have been exempt, you would need to contact the store or file a claim with the Florida Department of Revenue, which is rarely successful for individual purchases.

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Florida?

No. The state portion is always 6%, but each county adds its own rate. Shopping in one county versus another can mean a difference of up to 2% in total tax. The rate you pay depends on where you make the purchase, not where you live.