Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator
Florida generally applies a 6% state motor vehicle sales tax, plus the purchaser's county discretionary sales surtax where applicable. The county surtax on a vehicle generally applies only to the first $5,000 of the taxable amount.
Last verified: October 2026Your itemized estimate will appear here.
Included in your estimate
What This Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator Includes
The calculator applies Florida's 6% state rate and the current county discretionary sales surtax for the purchaser's residence county. It also accounts for the $5,000 county surtax limit, a qualifying trade-in allowance, taxable dealer-required charges, and taxable accessories or additions.
- Vehicle selling price and supported taxable additions
- Qualifying trade-in value—not trade equity
- Florida state motor vehicle sales tax
- The selected county's verified 2026 surtax rate
It does not estimate title, registration, plate, financing, optional product, or unclassified dealer charges. For supported government costs together, use the Florida TTL calculator.
Calculation method
How Florida Car Sales Tax Is Calculated
Start with the vehicle selling price. Add dealer-required charges and accessories that belong in the taxable selling price, then subtract the qualifying trade-in allowance.
Vehicle price + taxable dealer charges + taxable accessories − qualifying trade-in = taxable amount
The Florida state portion is 6% of that taxable amount. The county portion is the applicable purchaser-county rate multiplied by the taxable amount up to $5,000.
State tax: taxable amount × 6%
County surtax: up to the first $5,000 × county rate
Purchaser location matters
Florida County Surtax and the $5,000 Rule
For a motor vehicle, the purchaser's residence address used for title and registration determines the county discretionary sales surtax. The dealership's location is not the deciding county.
Rates vary among Florida counties. Even when a vehicle's taxable amount is much higher, the county surtax generally stops after the first $5,000. For example, a 1% county rate produces at most $50 of county surtax on an ordinary vehicle transaction.
Trade-in treatment
Does a Trade-In Reduce Florida Car Sales Tax?
A qualifying trade-in can reduce the taxable selling amount. Enter the value allowed for the trade, not the equity remaining after subtracting a loan payoff. A payoff affects the financing side of the deal, but it does not automatically change the sales-tax trade-in allowance.
The allowance must meet Florida's transaction requirements. Do not enter a down payment, private resale proceeds, or an unrelated vehicle sale as a trade-in.
Worked example
Florida Vehicle Sales Tax Example
$30,000 vehicle with a $10,000 trade-in
- Vehicle price
- $30,000.00
- Qualifying trade-in
- − $10,000.00
- Taxable amount
- $20,000.00
- Florida state tax (6%)
- $1,200.00
- Miami-Dade surtax (1% on first $5,000)
- $50.00
- Estimated vehicle sales tax
- $1,250.00
This example is calculated by the same engine as the live tool using Miami-Dade County's verified 2026 rate.
Florida buyer questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the Florida car sales tax rate?
Florida's state motor vehicle sales tax rate is generally 6% of the taxable selling amount. County discretionary sales surtax may also apply.
Does Florida charge county sales tax on cars?
Florida counties may impose a discretionary sales surtax. For vehicles, the applicable rate follows the purchaser's residence county and generally applies only to the first $5,000.
Why does the county surtax stop at $5,000?
Florida's discretionary sales surtax limitation generally restricts the county portion to the first $5,000 of a motor vehicle's taxable amount. The 6% state tax still applies to the full taxable amount.
Does a trade-in reduce Florida vehicle sales tax?
A qualifying trade-in can reduce the taxable selling amount. Use the allowed trade value, not the amount of positive or negative equity after a loan payoff.
Which Florida county rate does my vehicle purchase use?
Use the purchaser's residence county shown for title and registration purposes, not the dealership location.
Are dealer fees taxable in Florida?
Dealer-required preparation, handling, commission, accessories, and similar selling charges may be taxable. Separately itemized title, licensing, registration, and lien-recording charges required by state law are treated separately. This tool includes only charges the user places in a supported taxable category.