Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator
Florida charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 6% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,200.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Florida allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Florida’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Florida car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Florida gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Florida counties and cities add a local sales tax on top, so your actual total may be higher. Trade-in credit rules vary — confirm eligibility with the official source below.
How Florida taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 6% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Florida charges a $75.25 title fee for an electronic title with a Florida record (paper title $77.75; out-of-state $85.25). State sales tax is 6%; counties may add a discretionary surtax (typically up to 1.5% on the first $5,000). New residents and first-time Florida registrants also pay a $225 New Wheels on the Road initial registration fee.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Florida state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Florida registration and title-transfer calculators for those.
- Dealer documentation fees. A dealer “doc fee” is charged on top and is often itself taxable.
- Exemptions. Gifts, inheritance, and certain family transfers may be exempt — confirm with Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Official Florida source
↗Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)www.flhsmv.govRelated Florida tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Florida?
The Florida state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6%. Multiply it by the taxable purchase price (usually the price minus any trade-in credit). Counties and cities may add a local sales tax on top, so confirm your combined rate with Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Florida?
In most states, sales or use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase is collected when you title and register the car, not at the point of sale. The rate is generally the same as a dealer sale. Confirm the private-sale rules with Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Does Florida give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?
Most states tax only the difference between the vehicle price and your trade-in value, which lowers the tax you owe. A handful of states tax the full price with no trade-in credit. Verify Florida's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Florida?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Florida state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice