Florida sales tax is a tax added to most goods and some services when you buy them at the register

Florida's sales tax rate is 6% on most purchases. Some counties add an extra tax on top of that, so your total rate may be 6%, 6.5%, 7%, or higher depending on where you shop. The tax is calculated on the sale price and collected by the store — you do not send it to the state yourself.

Sales tax applies to physical items like groceries, clothing, electronics, and furniture. It also applies to some services, like repairs, haircuts, and pest control. A few categories are taxed differently or not at all: unprepared food from a grocery store is usually not taxed, but prepared food from a restaurant is. Medicine prescribed by a doctor is not taxed, but over-the-counter medicine is.

The store is responsible for collecting the tax from you and sending it to Florida's Department of Revenue. You will see the tax amount listed separately on your receipt, or it may be included in the total price shown.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's base sales tax rate is 6%, but your county may add 0.5% to 1.5% more, making your total rate between 6% and 7.5%.
  • Sales tax applies to most goods and many services, but not to unprepared groceries, prescription medicine, or certain other items.
  • The store collects and pays the tax to the state — you do not file anything or pay separately.
  • Your receipt will show the sales tax amount, or it may be built into the total depending on how the store displays prices.

County-by-county tax rates in Florida

Florida allows each county to add a local tax on top of the state's 6% base rate. This means the total tax you pay depends on which county you are in when you make the purchase. A purchase in Miami-Dade County will have a different total rate than a purchase in Duval County.

The most common county rates are 0.5% and 1%, but some counties have rates as high as 1.5%. To find your exact rate, you can look up your county on the Florida Department of Revenue website or ask the store cashier. Online purchases are usually taxed at the rate of the county where the item is shipped, not where you live.

What is and is not taxed

Sales tax applies to clothing, shoes, furniture, electronics, toys, books, and most other retail goods. It also applies to services like haircuts, car repairs, plumbing, and dry cleaning. Rental items like hotel rooms and car rentals are taxed. Admissions to movies, theme parks, and sporting events are taxed.

Items that are not taxed include unprepared food bought at a grocery store (bread, milk, eggs, vegetables), prescription medicine, medical equipment prescribed by a doctor, and certain agricultural products. Restaurant meals, prepared foods, and food from a vending machine are taxed. Over-the-counter medicine like aspirin or cold medicine is taxed.

Some services are not taxed, including professional services like accounting, legal advice, and medical care. Insurance premiums are not taxed. Rent and mortgage payments are not taxed.

How sales tax is calculated at checkout

The store multiplies the sale price by the tax rate for that county. If you buy a $100 item in a county with a 7% total tax rate, the tax is $7, and your total is $107. If you buy multiple items, the tax is calculated on the combined price of all taxable items.

Some stores display prices with tax included, and some display prices before tax. Most stores in Florida show the price before tax and add it at the register. This means the price on the shelf or tag is not the price you will pay. Always check your receipt to confirm the tax was calculated correctly.

Sales tax on online and mail orders

If you order something online or by mail and it is shipped to a Florida address, sales tax is usually charged. The tax rate is based on the county where the item is being delivered, not where you live or where the seller is located. Some online sellers may not charge tax if they do not have a physical location in Florida, but Florida law requires you to pay tax on these purchases anyway.

If you buy something online from out of state and it is shipped to Florida, you may owe tax. The responsibility to pay falls on you if the seller does not collect it, though in practice this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. Businesses are required to keep records of these purchases.

Who collects and where the money goes

The store or seller collects sales tax from you at the time of purchase. They hold the money and send it to Florida's Department of Revenue on a regular schedule, usually monthly or quarterly depending on the size of the business. The state then distributes a portion of the tax revenue to the county where the sale took place.

Sales tax revenue funds state and local government services, including schools, roads, and public safety. The exact split between state and county varies by county and by the type of tax (base rate versus local add-on).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the price on the shelf different from what I pay at the register?

The shelf price does not include sales tax. Florida stores typically display prices before tax is added. The tax is calculated and added when you check out. This is why the total you pay is higher than the price tag shows.

Do I have to pay sales tax if I buy something in another state and bring it to Florida?

No. Sales tax is paid in the state where the purchase is made. If you buy something in Georgia and bring it to Florida, you do not owe Florida sales tax on it. However, if you order something online to be shipped to Florida, you owe tax based on your Florida delivery address.

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Florida?

No. The base state rate is 6%, but each county adds its own local tax. Your total rate depends on which county you are shopping in. Rates range from 6% to 7.5% across the state.

Why is grocery store food not taxed but restaurant food is?

Florida law treats unprepared food as a necessity and does not tax it. Food that is prepared, cooked, or ready to eat is considered a service and is taxed. This distinction applies to all food — groceries are not taxed, but takeout and restaurant meals are.

Do I need to report sales tax I paid on my tax return?

No. Sales tax is collected by the store and paid to the state. You do not report it on your personal income tax return. The only time you might report sales tax is if you are self-employed and claim a deduction for business expenses.