Florida's base sales tax rate is 6%, but the total you pay depends on your county

Florida has a state sales tax of 6%, but most counties add their own tax on top of that. The combined rate you see at checkout ranges from 6% to 7.5%, depending on which county you're in. This means the same item costs different amounts in different parts of Florida — not because of store pricing, but because of local tax.

The state collects its 6% and sends a portion to counties that have voted to add a discretionary sales tax. Some counties add 0.5%, others add 1% or 1.5%. A few counties have no additional tax at all, so you pay only the state rate. The tax applies to most goods you buy in a store, but not to groceries, prescription medications, or most services.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's state sales tax is 6%, and most counties add between 0.5% and 1.5% on top of that, bringing your total to between 6% and 7.5%.
  • Groceries, prescription drugs, and most services are exempt from sales tax, but prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed.
  • The county where you make the purchase determines the rate, not where you live or where the business is based.
  • Online purchases from out-of-state sellers are subject to Florida sales tax if the seller has a physical presence in Florida or meets federal economic nexus thresholds.

County-by-county rates: how to find your local tax

Each Florida county sets its own additional rate through a local option sales tax. The state does not impose a single statewide add-on; instead, counties vote on whether to collect extra tax and at what rate. This creates variation across the state.

Counties with no additional tax (6% total): Union County and a few others collect only the state rate. Counties with 0.5% added (6.5% total): include Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington. Counties with 1% or higher added (7% to 7.5% total): include Escambia, Leon, Levy, and Volusia in some cases, depending on the specific local ordinance.

The easiest way to find your exact rate is to check the Florida Department of Revenue website or call your county tax collector's office. The rate you pay is determined by the county where you make the purchase, not where you live or where the business is headquartered.

What is taxed and what is not

Sales tax in Florida applies to tangible goods — items you can touch and take home. Clothing, electronics, furniture, and tools are all taxed. The tax also applies to prepared food: restaurant meals, takeout, and food from a deli counter are taxed, but raw groceries are not.

Exempt from sales tax: unprepared food (bread, milk, eggs, produce), prescription medications, medical devices prescribed by a doctor, and most services. A haircut is not taxed. A plumber's labor is not taxed, though materials may be. A doctor's visit is not taxed. However, cosmetic services like manicures and non-prescription skincare products are taxed.

The distinction between prepared and unprepared food is important. A rotisserie chicken from a grocery store deli is taxed. A raw chicken from the butcher counter is not. A sandwich from a restaurant is taxed. Sandwich ingredients you buy separately are not. If you are unsure whether something is taxed, the receipt will show it.

How sales tax works for online and out-of-state purchases

If you buy something online from a retailer based outside Florida, you may still owe Florida sales tax. The rule depends on whether the seller has economic nexus in Florida — meaning they have enough business activity here that Florida can require them to collect tax.

Large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have physical locations or warehouses in Florida, so they collect Florida sales tax on all orders shipped to Florida addresses. Smaller out-of-state sellers must collect Florida sales tax if they meet the federal economic nexus threshold, which is generally $100,000 in sales to Florida residents in the past 12 months, or 200 or more transactions. If a seller does not meet this threshold and does not collect tax, you may owe use tax — a tax on items you bought out of state but use in Florida. Most individuals do not report use tax, but it is technically owed.

The tax rate applied to an online purchase is the rate for the Florida county where the item is being delivered, not where the seller is located.

Who collects and where the money goes

Retailers collect sales tax at the point of sale and remit it to the Florida Department of Revenue. The state keeps its 6% and distributes the county portion to the appropriate county. Counties use this revenue for schools, infrastructure, emergency services, and other local programs.

Businesses are required to register for a sales tax permit with the state before they begin collecting tax. They file returns monthly or quarterly, depending on the volume of sales. If a business collects tax but does not remit it, the state can pursue penalties and interest.

Sales tax on specific items and situations

Some purchases raise questions because the rules are less obvious. Alcohol is taxed at the regular sales tax rate, not a separate excise tax (though beer and wine also have state excise taxes). Cigarettes and vaping products have their own state excise tax in addition to sales tax. Gasoline has a state excise tax but is also subject to sales tax in some contexts, though the calculation is complex and varies by fuel type.

Motor vehicles are subject to sales tax, but the tax is calculated on the purchase price and paid to the county tax collector, not at the dealership. Rental cars are taxed at 6% state rate plus county tax. Leased vehicles are not subject to sales tax on the lease payment itself, but the lessor may have paid sales tax when acquiring the vehicle.

Digital products — ebooks, software, streaming subscriptions, and digital downloads — are generally taxed as services in Florida, which means they are usually not subject to sales tax. However, some digital goods sold as part of a package with tangible items may be taxed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sales tax rate in my county?

Florida's state rate is 6%, and your county adds between 0% and 1.5% on top of that. To find your exact rate, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website, search for your county name, or call your county tax collector's office. The rate depends on where you make the purchase, not where you live.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

No. Unprepared food — bread, milk, produce, raw meat, eggs — is exempt from sales tax. Prepared food is taxed: restaurant meals, deli items, rotisserie chicken, and hot food from a grocery store counter are all subject to tax. The receipt will show which items were taxed.

Do I owe sales tax on items I buy online from out of state?

If the seller has a physical presence in Florida or meets federal economic nexus thresholds (roughly $100,000 in annual sales to Florida), they must collect Florida sales tax. Large retailers like Amazon and Walmart collect it automatically. Smaller sellers may not, in which case you technically owe use tax, though most individuals do not report it.

Is sales tax included in the price shown on the shelf?

No. The price on the shelf is the pre-tax price. Sales tax is added at checkout. The final amount you pay is the shelf price plus the applicable sales tax rate for your county.

Are services taxed in Florida?

Most services are not taxed: haircuts, plumbing, medical visits, and legal information are exempt. However, some services are taxed, such as hotel rooms, car rentals, and certain entertainment. When in doubt, ask the business or check your receipt.