Sales tax is a tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and services and is usually calculated as a percentage of the sale price. Sales tax is sometimes referred to as retail sales tax.
In Florida, sales tax is governed by the Florida Department of Revenue. The state imposes a general sales tax rate of 6% on the sale or rental of goods, with some services also being taxable. Local governments in Florida can levy additional sales taxes, known as discretionary sales surtaxes, which vary by county and can range from 0.5% to 2.5%. This means the total sales tax rate can be as high as 8.5% in some areas. The sales tax is generally collected by the seller at the point of sale and remitted to the state. Certain items may be exempt from sales tax, such as groceries and prescription medications, while others, like tobacco and alcohol, may be subject to higher rates or additional taxes. It's important for businesses to be aware of and comply with the sales tax regulations specific to the locations where they operate.
