FLORIDA VEHICLE TAX
Florida car sales tax: 6% plus possible county surtax.
Florida's general sales tax rate is 6%. The applicable discretionary county surtax for a motor vehicle is tied to the purchaser's home address, and an eligible dealer trade-in can reduce the taxable price.
Florida tax formula
(Vehicle selling price − eligible trade-in + taxable charges) × applicable state and county rate
$40,000 Florida example
At the 6% state rate alone, a $40,000 vehicle produces $2,400 in tax. With a $10,000 eligible trade-in, the state-rate estimate falls to $1,800, a $600 difference. County surtax and its motor-vehicle limitation can change the final number.
Do not apply the county rate blindly
Florida treats the discretionary sales surtax on motor vehicles differently from a simple percentage applied to the entire selling price. Use the current Department of Revenue surtax publication and the purchaser's home address when checking the dealer's calculation.
What to verify
- The 6% state rate and applicable county surtax are shown correctly.
- The trade allowance is documented as part of the dealer transaction.
- Dealer fees, electronic filing, title, and registration are separate lines.
Official Florida sources
Read the Department of Revenue's Sales and Use Tax on Motor Vehicles guide and its current sales-tax overview.
Educational estimate reviewed September 3, 2026. County surtax, nonresident purchases, leases, exemptions, and transaction details can change the result.