What is the sales tax rate on cars in Florida?

Florida charges a 6 percent state sales tax on motor vehicles, plus a county discretionary sales surtax that varies by county (typically 0.5 to 1.5 percent). The surtax only applies to the first 5,000 dollars of the purchase price.

Does a trade-in reduce my Florida car sales tax?

Yes. Florida lets you subtract the value of a trade-in vehicle from the purchase price before calculating sales tax, so you are taxed only on the net difference. This can save hundreds of dollars.

How does the county surtax cap work?

Florida's discretionary sales surtax applies only to the first 5,000 dollars of a single item, including a car. So the most surtax you pay on any vehicle is your county rate times 5,000, regardless of how expensive the car is.

Do I pay tax on dealer fees?

Yes. Dealer-charged fees such as documentation or dealer prep fees are generally part of the taxable sales price in Florida and are subject to the 6 percent tax and surtax just like the vehicle price.

What if I buy from a private seller?

You still owe 6 percent state tax plus the county surtax when you title and register the vehicle at the tax collector's office. The same trade-in and surtax-cap rules apply as with a dealer purchase.

Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator

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Buying a car in Florida means paying a 6 percent state sales tax plus a county discretionary surtax. The two important wrinkles are that a trade-in reduces your taxable amount, and the county surtax applies only to the first 5,000 dollars of the purchase price — so the surtax is capped no matter how expensive the car. This calculator applies both rules correctly so you know exactly what you will owe at the dealer or tax collector.

How it works

The calculator follows Florida’s motor-vehicle tax rules:

Taxable amount. Start with the purchase price plus any taxable dealer fees, then subtract your trade-in allowance. The result is the amount subject to tax.
State tax. Apply the 6% state rate to the full taxable amount.
County surtax. Apply your county’s discretionary surtax rate, but only to the first $5,000 of the taxable amount. The maximum surtax is therefore your county rate times $5,000.
Total. State tax plus the capped county surtax equals your total sales tax.

Tips and example

Suppose you buy a $30,000 car, trade in a vehicle worth $8,000, and your county surtax is 1%. Your taxable amount is $30,000 - $8,000 = $22,000. The state tax is 6% x $22,000 = $1,320. The county surtax applies only to the first $5,000, so it is 1% x $5,000 = $50. Your total sales tax is $1,370 — far less than 7% of the full price because of the trade-in and the surtax cap.

Always negotiate the trade-in value separately, since each dollar of trade-in directly lowers your taxable amount. Confirm your county’s exact surtax rate with the Florida Department of Revenue.