Car sales tax in Florida
Florida: State sales and use tax (6%); plus a local rate of 0% to 2% by where you live, on the first $5,000.00 only.
On a $30,000 used car from a dealer with no trade-in, the tax is $1,800.00–$1,900.00 and all taxes and government fees come to about $1,922.85–$2,275.85.
Trade-in: a $10,000 trade-in lowers the tax by $600.00. Private sale ($15,000): tax $900.00–$1,000.00.
Estimate of government charges. Your DMV, tax office or county calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: buying from a dealer in Florida · Different situation?
Every line on a $30,000 dealer purchase
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sales and use tax (6%) | State & local tax | $1,800.00 | Florida Department of Revenue |
| Local sales tax | State & local tax | $0.00–$100.00 | Florida Department of Revenue |
| Title transfer (Florida-titled vehicle) | Title | $75.25 | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
| Lemon law fee (new car/light truck bought from a Florida dealer) | Title | $2.00 | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
| Initial registration fee (no Florida plate to transfer) | Registration & plates | $0.00–$225.00 | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
| Annual license tax and other fees, private automobile (by net weight) | Registration & plates | $45.60 | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
| New metal license plate | Registration & plates | $0.00–$28.00 | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
How Florida taxes a car purchase
- Trade-in: Dealer sales: trade-in allowance deducted when traded in the same transaction. Private (casual) sales: only a traded aircraft, boat, motor vehicle or mobile home counts.
- Private sale: Tax is collected by the county tax collector at titling on the sale price (less a qualifying trade-in).
- Bought in another state: Vehicles bought elsewhere and titled/registered in Florida owe 6% use tax plus surtax, with credit for a like tax (including local taxes) paid to another state, DC or a US territory. No Florida tax if used outside Florida 6 months or more before being brought in (with proof).
- Local tax: County discretionary sales surtax (0%-2%) based on the purchaser's residence address on the title/registration, applied only to the first $5,000 of the sales price (max $100 at 2%).
Exemptions (check the official rule before relying on one)
- Even trade, trade-down, divorce, inheritance, gift: Listed as exempt from sales tax on title transfer.
- Spouses (marital property): Exempt even with an outstanding lien; other family members only if a gift.
- Nonresident buyers (partial exemption): A resident of a state with a lower vehicle tax rate pays only their home-state rate with Form DR-123 and registration at home within 45 days; no surtax.
Dealer fees
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. No Florida dealer documentary fee cap was found on the fetched official pages. Dealer fees are part of the taxable sales price (GT-800030).
Official tools: FLHSMV fee schedule (no official calculator found) · Florida DOR discretionary sales surtax rates
Sources
- Florida Department of Revenue: TIP 26A01-01 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Rates by State (February 11, 2026)
- Florida Department of Revenue: GT-800030 Sales and Use Tax on Motor Vehicles (R. 07/16)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Fees (motorist services fee schedule)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: HSMV 83140 License Plate Rate Chart and fee check-off list (Rev. 08/26)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Motor Vehicle Registrations
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Procedure TL-08 Sales and Use Tax - Transfer of Motor Vehicles, Mobile Homes and Vessels (rev. 07/26)
FAQ
How much is the sales tax on a car in Florida?
State sales and use tax (6%); plus a local rate of 0% to 2% by where you live, on the first $5,000.00 only. On a $30,000 used car from a dealer that is $1,800.00–$1,900.00 in tax (estimate).
Does Florida charge tax on the price minus the trade-in?
Dealer sales: trade-in allowance deducted when traded in the same transaction. Private (casual) sales: only a traded aircraft, boat, motor vehicle or mobile home counts.
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Florida?
Tax is collected by the county tax collector at titling on the sale price (less a qualifying trade-in).
What if I buy a car in another state and register it in Florida?
Vehicles bought elsewhere and titled/registered in Florida owe 6% use tax plus surtax, with credit for a like tax (including local taxes) paid to another state, DC or a US territory. No Florida tax if used outside Florida 6 months or more before being brought in (with proof).
Is there a cap on dealer doc fees in Florida?
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. No Florida dealer documentary fee cap was found on the fetched official pages. Dealer fees are part of the taxable sales price (GT-800030).