Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator – Fast, Free & Accurate

How Florida Car Sales Tax Works

Before using the calculator, it helps to understand how sales tax on vehicles is calculated in Florida:

1. State Tax Rate:
   Florida charges a flat 6% state sales tax on the taxable amount of your car purchase.
2. County Surtax:
   Each county adds a small surtax, typically between 0.5% and 1.5%, applied only on the first $5,000 of the taxable amount.
   • Example: Miami-Dade has a 1% surtax, while Broward charges 1.5%.
3. Trade-In Value:
   If you trade in a vehicle, the trade-in value is subtracted from the purchase price before sales tax is applied.

Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator

Here’s the tool you can use right away:

How to Use the Calculator

Using the calculator is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Enter the Vehicle Price – Input the total purchase price of the car.
2. Enter Trade-In Value – If you’re trading in a vehicle, add its value. If not, leave it blank.
3. Select County – Choose the county where you’re registering the car. This ensures the correct surtax rate is applied.
4. Click “Calculate Tax” – The calculator instantly shows:
   • Taxable amount (price minus trade-in)
   • Florida’s 6% state sales tax
   • County surtax (applied only to first $5,000)
   • Total estimated tax owed

Example Calculation

Let’s say you buy a car for $28,000 in Hillsborough County and trade in a vehicle worth $6,000.

• Taxable amount: $28,000 – $6,000 = $22,000
• State tax (6%): 22,000 × 0.06 = $1,320
• County surtax (1.5% on first $5,000): 5,000 × 0.015 = $75
• Total tax owed: $1,395

The calculator will handle this math for you in seconds.

Why This Calculator Matters

Car buying already involves juggling loan terms, insurance, and registration fees. The last thing you want is a surprise at the dealership when the tax is added.

This calculator:

• Saves time – No need to pull out a spreadsheet or guess.
• Avoids surprises – You know your real out-the-door cost.
• Helps budget better – Especially if you’re financing and need exact numbers.

Key Takeaways

• Florida charges 6% state sales tax on vehicle purchases.
• Counties add a surtax (0.5%–1.5%), but only on the first $5,000 of the taxable amount.
• Trade-ins lower your taxable amount.
• The Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator is the fastest way to get an accurate estimate before heading to the dealership.