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 combined rate you pay ranges from 6 percent to 7.5 percent depending on your county and city. For example, Miami-Dade County adds 1 percent, bringing the total to 7 percent. Broward County adds 0.5 percent, for a total of 6.5 percent. Smaller counties may add nothing, leaving you at the state rate of 6 percent.
When you see a price tag in a store, that price does not include sales tax. The tax is added at checkout. Online purchases follow the same rule — if the seller has a physical location in Florida or meets certain sales thresholds, they must collect and remit Florida sales tax.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's state sales tax rate is 6 percent, but your total rate is higher if your county or city adds local tax.
- Combined rates range from 6 percent to 7.5 percent depending on which county you live in or shop in.
- Sales tax is added at the register, not included in the displayed price.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Florida.
- Online retailers must collect Florida sales tax if they have a physical presence in the state or meet federal sales thresholds.
How local taxes stack on top of the state rate
Florida allows counties and cities to impose their own sales tax surcharges. These are separate from the 6 percent state tax and are collected at the same time. A county might add 0.5 percent, 1 percent, or sometimes more. Some cities add an additional layer on top of the county rate.
The result is that your total tax burden depends on your exact location. A purchase in Pensacola (Escambia County) is taxed at 7 percent total. The same purchase in Tampa (Hillsborough County) is taxed at 7.5 percent. A purchase in a county with no local surcharge stays at 6 percent.
You can find your county's exact rate by searching "[your county name] sales tax rate" or by asking a cashier. Most retailers' websites also show the tax rate for each location where they operate.
What is and is not taxed in Florida
Most tangible goods are subject to sales tax — clothing, electronics, furniture, gasoline, and restaurant meals all get taxed. Services are generally not taxed unless they are specifically listed in Florida law. For example, haircuts and car repairs are not taxed, but pest control services are.
Several categories are exempt from sales tax. Groceries and food items for home consumption are not taxed. Prescription medications are exempt. Certain medical equipment and devices, including prosthetics and mobility aids, are also exempt. Durable medical equipment prescribed by a doctor may may have access to for exemption, though the rules are specific.
If you are unsure whether a particular item or service is taxed, the retailer or service provider can tell you. You can also contact the Florida Department of Revenue for clarification on specific products.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you buy something online from a retailer that has a store, warehouse, or office in Florida, Florida sales tax applies. The retailer collects it and sends it to the state. If the retailer has no physical presence in Florida but meets federal sales thresholds (generally $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions in a year), they must also collect Florida tax.
If you buy from an out-of-state retailer with no Florida presence and below the threshold, no sales tax is collected at checkout. However, Florida law technically requires you to pay "use tax" on that purchase when you file your state tax return — though most individuals do not do this and enforcement is minimal.
The safest assumption is that any major online retailer will collect Florida sales tax. Smaller sellers may not, but the trend is toward broader collection as federal rules tighten.
When sales tax does not apply to services
Florida taxes some services but not others, and the distinction is not always obvious. Labor and services are generally not taxed unless the law specifically says they are. A plumber's labor is not taxed. A lawyer's fees are not taxed. A doctor's visit is not taxed.
However, certain services are taxed by law. Pest control, lawn care, and janitorial services are taxed. Telecommunications services are taxed. Repair services on tangible goods — like fixing a phone or appliance — are taxed. The tax applies to the labor and materials together.
If you are charged sales tax on a service and believe it should not be taxed, ask the provider to explain the charge. They should be able to point to the specific service category that triggers the tax.
How to calculate your total cost before checkout
To estimate your total cost, multiply the price by your local tax rate. If you live in a county with a 7 percent combined rate and buy a $100 item, the tax is $7, making your total $107.
Most smartphones have a built-in calculator. Divide the price by 1 minus your tax rate (as a decimal) to find the pre-tax price if you only know the total. For a 7 percent rate, divide the total by 0.93. This is useful if you have a budget and want to know how much you can spend before tax.
Retailers do not always round the same way, so your final total may be a cent or two different from your estimate. This is normal and not an error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in my specific county?
Florida's base rate is 6 percent, but each county adds its own local tax. Rates range from 6 percent to 7.5 percent. Search "[your county name] sales tax rate" online, call your county tax collector's office, or ask a cashier at any store in your area. They can tell you the exact combined rate where you shop.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
No. Groceries and food items for home consumption are exempt from Florida sales tax. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, and meat. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and items from a deli counter are taxed. Alcohol and tobacco are also taxed.
Is sales tax added to the price shown on the tag?
No. The price on the tag does not include sales tax. Tax is calculated and added at checkout based on your location. This is why the final amount you pay is higher than the displayed price.
Do I have to pay sales tax on online purchases?
If the online retailer has a physical location in Florida or meets federal sales thresholds, yes — they collect and remit Florida sales tax. Most major online retailers do this. Smaller sellers may not, but you are technically responsible for paying use tax on those purchases when you file your state return.
Are services taxed in Florida?
Most services are not taxed. Haircuts, medical visits, and legal fees are not subject to sales tax. However, some services are taxed by law, including pest control, lawn care, telecommunications, and repair labor on tangible goods. Ask the provider if you are unsure whether a specific service is taxed.