The 10 Basics Every Florida Business Should Know About Sales Tax

What is the Sales Tax Rate in Florida?

Blended rate of State (6%) and County tax.

What is Sales Tax in Florida?

Each sale, admission, storage, or rental in Florida is taxable, unless the transaction is exempt. Sales tax is added to the price of taxable goods or services and collected from the purchaser at the time of sale.

Are All Goods and Services Taxable?

No

How Do I Know What’s Taxable and What’s Not?

This link can help you determine what is taxable and what isn’t in Florida.

Who Pays Sales Tax?

Consumers pay sales tax.  Merchants do not pay sales tax out of their own pockets.  It’s commonly referred to as a  pass through tax.

What Am I Responsible For?

You are required to collect sales tax, hold it secure and send it to the State on-time and in-full.

When Is My Sales Tax Payment Due in Florida?

Sales Tax in Florida is due on or before the due date. Click here for a list of due dates.

How Do I Know How Much Sales Tax to Charge? 

Sales tax rates in FLORIDA are a combination of the state rate plus a local county tax rate. Click here to find your sales tax rate. The final and definitive answer is always the sales tax rate posted on State Department of Revenue website.  Rates posted on the web are often not up-to-date and incorrect. It’s always the merchant’s responsibility to charge the correct sales tax rate.

Who Gets the Sales Tax Money?

In Florida all sales tax, State and County, gets paid directly to the State.

How Do I Manage Tax Exempt Sales?

Tax exempt organizations such as schools and religious organizations are often exempt from sales tax.  They are required to give you copy of their “TAX EXEMPT CERTIFICATE” at the time of the sale and you are required to keep this certificate on file.  Failing to do so may result in you paying the sales tax out of your own pocket if you have a sales tax audit.

What if I Forget to Pay or Spend the Money and Can’t Pay?

Florida has severe penalties for missing tax payments. If you received a letter of delinquency on sales tax you can call the DOR at: 850-488-6800. You can find the penalties for late payments here. If sales tax goes unpaid, states will seize the assets of the business or owner and auction them off to pay the debt.  In extreme cases owners will be prosecuted and sent to jail. Even if the business closes, sales tax is a personal liability that will follow the owner until paid.Florida Department Of Revenue

Florida Department Of Revenue TAX COLLECTION HELP:

Click here to find your Florida tax rate.

(850) 488-6800