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 percent statewide. When you buy something in a store or online, the seller adds 6 percent of the purchase price to your bill. Some counties add an extra local tax on top of that, so your total rate may be 6.5, 7, or even 7.5 percent depending on where you live. The tax goes to the state and local governments — it does not go to the federal government.

Sales tax is different from income tax. You pay sales tax only when you buy something. Income tax is taken from your paycheck. Florida has no state income tax, which is why sales tax is the main way the state collects money from residents and visitors.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's base sales tax is 6 percent, but your county may add 0.5 to 1.5 percent more, making your total rate between 6 and 7.5 percent.
  • Sales tax applies to most physical goods like clothes, groceries, and furniture, but not to services like haircuts or car repairs in most cases.
  • You pay sales tax at the point of sale — the cashier adds it to your total, or it appears in your online checkout.
  • Certain items like prescription medications and some foods are exempt from sales tax in Florida.

What items are taxed and what are not

Most physical goods you can hold — clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, household items — are subject to the 6 percent state tax. Groceries for home use are not taxed, which means milk, bread, cereal, and vegetables do not have sales tax added. However, prepared foods and items bought at a restaurant or deli counter are taxed.

Services are usually not taxed. A haircut, a doctor's visit, car repair, plumbing work, and legal advice do not have sales tax. But there are exceptions: some services tied to tangible goods, like installation or delivery, may be taxed depending on how the transaction is structured.

Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax. Over-the-counter medicines like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed. Diapers and feminine hygiene products are not taxed in Florida.

How local county taxes change your rate

Florida allows counties to add their own sales tax on top of the state's 6 percent. These local taxes range from 0.5 to 1.5 percent. Duval County (Jacksonville) adds 1.5 percent, bringing the total to 7.5 percent. Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) adds 1 percent for a total of 7 percent. Some counties add only 0.5 percent.

The rate you pay depends on where the sale happens, not where you live. If you buy something in a county with a higher local tax, you pay that county's rate. If you order something online and it ships to an address in a different county, the tax rate for the delivery address applies.

You can find your county's exact rate by searching "sales tax rate" plus your county name, or by checking the Florida Department of Revenue website.

When you pay sales tax online versus in stores

In a physical store, the cashier adds sales tax to your total at checkout. The price tag does not include tax, so the amount you pay is higher than the sticker price.

Online purchases work the same way now. For many years, online retailers did not collect Florida sales tax, but that changed. Most major online sellers — Amazon, Walmart, Target, and others — now collect and send sales tax to Florida based on your delivery address. Small sellers may not collect it, but Florida law requires you to report and pay tax on those purchases yourself when you file your state tax return, though most people do not.

Items that are always tax-free in Florida

Prescription medications filled by a licensed pharmacist are never taxed. Diapers for babies and adults are tax-free. Feminine hygiene products including pads and tampons are tax-free. Groceries — uncooked food you buy to prepare at home — are tax-free, but this does not include alcohol, candy, or prepared foods.

Some items are tax-free only during certain times. For example, Florida holds a back-to-school tax holiday in August when clothing and school supplies under certain price limits are not taxed. The state also runs a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday before hurricane season when items like batteries, flashlights, and generators are tax-free for a limited period.

How sales tax affects your budget

Sales tax adds to the cost of almost everything you buy except groceries and certain other exempt items. A $100 purchase in a county with 7 percent tax costs $107. Over time, this adds up. If you spend $500 a month on taxable items, you pay about $35 in sales tax that month.

Budgeting for sales tax means adding it to the sticker price when you are deciding whether you can afford something. Many people mentally add 7 percent to prices they see to get a sense of the real cost. This is especially important for large purchases like furniture or appliances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida have sales tax on groceries?

No. Groceries you buy to cook at home — produce, meat, dairy, bread, cereal — are not taxed. But prepared foods, restaurant meals, and items from a deli counter are taxed. Candy and alcohol are also taxed even though they are food.

What is the sales tax rate where I live?

Florida's base rate is 6 percent. Your county adds 0.5 to 1.5 percent on top of that. Search your county name plus "sales tax rate" or visit the Florida Department of Revenue website to find your exact total rate.

Do I pay sales tax on online orders shipped to Florida?

Yes. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax based on your delivery address in Florida. The tax rate depends on which county you live in. Some very small sellers may not collect it, but you are legally required to report those purchases on your state tax return.

Are there times when sales tax is waived?

Yes. Florida runs a back-to-school tax holiday in August when clothing and school supplies under certain prices are tax-free. A disaster preparedness holiday before hurricane season makes items like batteries and generators tax-free for a short period. Check the Florida Department of Revenue website for exact dates.

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Florida?

No. The state rate is 6 percent, but each county adds its own local tax. Your total rate ranges from 6 to 7.5 percent depending on your county. The rate you pay is based on where the purchase happens, not where you live.