Overview
The taxable base changes with how you buy: a dealership subtracts your trade-in first, a private-party purchase gets taxed on the full price you actually paid (no comparison to a 'book value' the way some states run it), and a genuine gift - where no money, services, or assumed loan changes hands - owes no sales tax at all, verified with a signed statement on the title application. This calculator applies whichever rule fits your sale.
01 - Official fees
Florida car sales tax fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State rate | 6% | on price minus trade-in, dealer sales |
| County surtax | 0%–1.5% | applies only to the first $5,000 of price |
| Private-party sale | 6% + surtax | same rate, no trade-in credit, paid at title |
| Bona fide gift (no consideration) | $0 | self-certified on the title application |
| Corporate/business transfer | presumed = fair market value | unless proven otherwise |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tax collector's office (FLHSMV) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Florida vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Florida car sales tax FAQ
Why is Florida's county tax so much smaller than I expected on an expensive car?
Because the discretionary surtax stops applying past $5,000 of the price. On a $50,000 truck in a 1% county, you pay $50 in surtax - not $500. Only the 6% state portion scales with the full price.
Can I subtract my trade-in before Florida taxes the sale?
Yes, but only in a dealer transaction where the trade-in happens in the same deal - Florida Statute 212.09 lets the dealer tax price minus allowance. Sell your old car to a private buyer and then go buy a replacement, and both transactions are taxed on their full price separately.
Do I owe Florida sales tax if I buy from a private seller instead of a dealer?
Yes, the same 6% plus your county's capped surtax - you just pay it yourself at the county tax collector's office when you title the car, rather than having a dealer collect it at the point of sale.
Is gifting a car to my kid or spouse tax-free in Florida?
It can be - and Florida doesn't restrict this to specific relatives the way some states do. Any transfer where no money, trade, service, or assumed loan balance changes hands qualifies as a bona fide gift and owes $0 sales tax, certified on the title application's exemption section.
What if I 'gift' a car but the recipient takes over the loan payments?
That's not a tax-free gift in Florida's eyes - assuming an outstanding lien counts as consideration. The transfer is taxed on the vehicle's fair market value, same as any sale, because value changed hands even though no cash did.
Are there any vehicles fully exempt from Florida sales tax?
A handful: qualifying transfers to or from certain government entities and nonprofits, some active-duty military situations, and true gifts as above. Everyday used-car and dealer purchases - including very low-priced private sales - are taxed at the standard rate on the actual price paid.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.