Florida sales tax adds a charge to most purchases you make in the Sunshine State. The base rate is 6%, but your actual cost depends on where you shop. Counties add their own surtax on top. As a result, your total rate can range from 6% to 7.5% depending on your location.
Whether you live here or visit on vacation, understanding Florida sales tax helps you budget smarter and keep more money in your pocket. This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay in 2026 — and how to pay less of it.
Florida Sales Tax Rate: The Basics
The state of Florida charges a flat 6% sales tax on most purchases. However, most counties add a discretionary surtax ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%. The average combined Florida sales tax rate across the state is about 7.02%. That sits just below the national average of 7.53%. For a state with no income tax, that’s a reasonable trade-off.
Here’s how the rates break down:
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Florida state sales tax | 6.00% |
| Average local (county) surtax | 1.02% |
| Average combined rate | 7.02% |
| National average (combined) | 7.53% |
One important detail: the county surtax only applies to the first $5,000 of a single item’s price. Specifically, if you buy a $10,000 piece of furniture, the surtax only hits the first $5,000. The remaining $5,000 is taxed at the 6% state rate only. This cap helps shoppers making big purchases.
What Florida Does and Does Not Tax
Florida exempts several essential categories from sales tax. Groceries top the list. Unprepared food you eat at home — fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread — is completely tax-free. However, prepared foods, candy, and soft drinks are fully taxable. This distinction matters at the checkout line.
In addition, prescription medications are exempt. Most common over-the-counter remedies like aspirin, antacids, and cold medicine are also tax-free. Medical devices prescribed by a doctor are exempt too.
Here’s a quick reference for shoppers:
| Category | Taxed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries (unprepared food) | No | Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread |
| Prepared food / restaurant meals | Yes | Full rate applies |
| Candy and soft drinks | Yes | Full rate applies |
| Clothing and shoes | Yes | Exempt only during back-to-school holiday |
| Prescription drugs | No | Must be dispensed by a pharmacy |
| OTC medicine (aspirin, antacids) | No | Common household remedies are exempt |
| Electronics | Yes | Full rate applies |
| Hurricane prep supplies | No | Permanently exempt as of August 2025 |
Unlike some states, Florida does tax clothing year-round. A proposal to exempt clothing and shoes under $75 was introduced in the 2025 legislative session but did not pass. For now, the only break on clothing comes during the annual back-to-school tax holiday.
Florida Sales Tax by City and County
Your Florida sales tax rate depends entirely on which county you’re in. The county surtax is set by local voter referendum. Some counties charge just 0.5%, while others charge 1.5%. This creates meaningful differences across the state. For example, shopping in Orlando costs you 6.5%, while shopping in Tampa or Jacksonville costs 7.5%.
Here are the combined rates for major Florida cities in 2026:
| City | County | Local Surtax | Combined Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | Orange | 0.5% | 6.5% |
| Miami | Miami-Dade | 1.0% | 7.0% |
| Fort Lauderdale | Broward | 1.0% | 7.0% |
| Naples | Collier | 1.0% | 7.0% |
| St. Petersburg | Pinellas | 1.0% | 7.0% |
| Tampa | Hillsborough | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Jacksonville | Duval | 1.5% | 7.5% |
| Tallahassee | Leon | 1.5% | 7.5% |
Two counties saw rate decreases in January 2026. Palm Beach County dropped from 7% to 6.5%. Martin County also dropped from 7% to 6.5%. If you shop near county borders, it can pay to know which side has the lower rate.
Florida Sales Tax Holidays
Florida offers some of the most generous tax holidays in the country. These events give shoppers real savings on specific categories. Mark your calendar for these 2026 events.
Freedom Month — July 1–31, 2026
All of July is tax-free for recreation and outdoor gear. Qualifying items include movie tickets, museum and state park admissions, sporting event tickets, and fitness facility fees. Camping gear, kayaks, paddleboards, grills, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also included. Specifically, tents under $200, kayaks under $500, and grills under $250 qualify. This is a great time to stock up on summer essentials.
Back-to-School — August 1–31, 2026
The entire month of August is tax-free for school-related purchases. Clothing and shoes under $100 per item qualify. School supplies under $50 per item are covered. Computers for personal use under $1,500 are also included. This is the biggest Florida sales tax break for families. Check our best time to buy calendar to plan your shopping around these dates.
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Hurricane Prep — Year-Round (Permanent)
Starting August 2025, hurricane preparedness items became permanently tax-free. Batteries, portable generators under 10,000 watts, tarps, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and life jackets are always exempt. You no longer need to wait for a temporary holiday window.
Online Shopping and Florida Sales Tax
Florida uses a destination-based system for online purchases. The Florida sales tax rate you pay is based on your shipping address, not the seller’s location. If you live in Hillsborough County, you pay the 7.5% combined rate on Amazon orders. If your delivery address is in Orange County, you pay 6.5%.
Since July 2021, online retailers must collect Florida sales tax if they exceed $100,000 in annual sales in the state. As a result, virtually every major online store — Amazon, Walmart, Target, eBay sellers — now charges the correct rate automatically. Marketplace platforms like Etsy and eBay handle collection on behalf of their sellers.
There’s no way to avoid Florida sales tax on online purchases by ordering from out-of-state retailers. However, the same exemptions still apply. Groceries ordered through Instacart or Amazon Fresh remain tax-free. Hurricane supplies ordered online are also exempt year-round. For more strategies, see our complete guide to saving money shopping online.
Smart Shopping Tips for Florida
1. Time big purchases around tax holidays. A $1,200 laptop bought during the August back-to-school holiday saves you $72 to $90 in Florida sales tax depending on your county. Plan electronics and clothing purchases for August whenever possible.
2. Shop in lower-surtax counties for expensive items. The county surtax only applies to the first $5,000 of a single item. However, the difference still adds up. Buying a $5,000 appliance in Orange County (6.5%) versus Hillsborough County (7.5%) saves you $50. If you live near a county border, it’s worth the short drive.
3. Stock up on tax-free categories strategically. Groceries, OTC medicine, and hurricane supplies are always exempt. Buying in bulk during sales on these items means you save twice — once on the sale price and once on zero tax. Combine with coupon stacking strategies for maximum impact.
4. Use cashback apps on taxable purchases. Since you can’t avoid Florida sales tax on most goods, offset the cost with cashback. Apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Capital One Shopping give you 1%–10% back on purchases. That can effectively cancel out the tax on many items. Browse our cashback app reviews for the best options.
5. Know what’s quietly tax-free. Many shoppers don’t realize common drugstore items are exempt. Aspirin, cold medicine, bandages, and antacids are all tax-free in Florida. Look for the full list on the Florida Department of Revenue website. These savings add up across a year of household shopping. For more ideas, visit our complete shopping guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Florida?
The base Florida sales tax rate is 6%. Most counties add a local surtax of 0.5% to 1.5%. The average combined rate across the state is 7.02%. Your exact rate depends on your county of purchase.
Are groceries taxed in Florida?
No. Unprepared grocery items like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread are fully exempt from Florida sales tax. However, prepared foods, candy, and soft drinks are taxable at the full rate.
Does Florida have a sales tax holiday?
Yes. Florida offers two major annual tax holidays. Freedom Month runs all of July and covers recreation and outdoor gear. The back-to-school holiday runs all of August and covers clothing, school supplies, and computers. In addition, hurricane preparedness items are permanently exempt year-round as of August 2025.
Start Saving on Every Purchase
Now that you know your state’s sales tax rates, use that knowledge to time your purchases and stack savings. Combine tax-free shopping periods with cashback apps and coupon codes to keep more money in your pocket.
Official Sources
- Tax Foundation — state and local sales tax data
- IRS.gov — federal tax information
- FTC Consumer Information — shopping rights and protections
Rates current as of May 2026. Sales tax rates change periodically. Always verify current rates with your state’s revenue department.