Florida Car Sales Tax Calculator Tax, title & license fees (2026)
State sales tax + county discretionary surtax · 6% state rate
Calculate Florida car tax & fees
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How much is car sales tax in Florida?
Florida charges 6% state sales tax on vehicles, plus a county discretionary surtax. The surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the taxable price, so it adds at most a modest amount. The surprise for many buyers is the one-time $225 initial registration fee for a first Florida plate.
Subtract your trade-in from the price. Multiply the result by 6%. Then take the smaller of that taxable amount or $5,000 and multiply by your county's surtax rate.
An electronic title costs $75.25 ($85.25 if the vehicle was last titled out of state). A lien adds $2, fast-track service $10, and a paper title mailed to you $2.50. Titling more than 30 days after purchase costs a $20 penalty.
Registration includes a weight-based fee ($27.60 under 2,500 lb, $35.60 from 2,500 to 3,499 lb, $45.60 at 3,500 lb and up) and a plate fee. The $225 initial registration fee applies the first time you register in Florida without transferring an existing Florida plate.
- Taxable base = price - trade-in
- State tax = taxable base x 6%
- Surtax = min(taxable base, $5,000) x county surtax rate
- Title = base + security + service charge (+ lien, mail, out-of-state, new vehicle, expedited, late fees as applicable)
- Registration = initial registration fee (first Florida plate only) + weight tax + plate
- Total = tax + title + registration + doc fee
Florida car tax example with real numbers
Dealer purchase with a trade-in
You buy a $3,200-lb sedan for $30,000, trade in your old car for $5,000, and your county surtax is 1%. This is your first Florida plate.
- Taxable amount: $30,000 − $5,000 = $25,000.
- State tax: $25,000 × 6% = $1,500.
- County surtax applies to the first $5,000 only: $5,000 × 1% = $50.
- Fees: title, $225 initial registration fee, plate and weight fee come to $363.85, for an estimated $1,913.85.
| Taxes | |
|---|---|
| State sales tax6% of $25,000.00 | $1,500 |
| County surtax (first $5,000)1% of $5,000.00 | $50 |
| Title & registration | |
| Title (electronic) | $75.25 |
| Initial registration feeFirst Florida plate only | $225 |
| Plate | $28 |
| Weight-based registration | $35.60 |
| Estimated total | $1,913.85 |
Computed with the calculator on this page using the figures in our data. Local add-ons not mentioned in the example are left out.
Exceptions that change your Florida tax bill
Transferring a Florida plate
If you move an existing Florida plate to the new vehicle, the $225 initial registration fee doesn't apply.
Family gifts and inheritance
A qualifying family gift or a transfer by inheritance or operation of law owes no sales tax, and the initial registration fee is typically waived.
Surviving spouse
A title-only change to a surviving spouse has the title fee waived, and no sales tax applies.
Tax paid in another state
Sales tax paid to another U.S. state is credited against Florida use tax.
Florida vehicle sales tax rates
| State rate | 6% |
|---|---|
| Local rate | County surtax varies; applies only to the first $5,000 of taxable price |
| Surtax cap amount | $5,000 |
Florida title & registration fees
| Title base | $70 |
|---|---|
| Title security | $1 |
| Title service charge | $4.25 |
| Title electronic total | $75.25 |
| New vehicle title addon | $2 |
| Out of state title addon | $10 |
| Expedited title | $10 |
| Late title penalty | $20 |
| Lien | $2 |
| Paper title mail | $2.50 |
| Initial registration fee | $225 |
| Plate | $28 |
| Weight tax |
|
| Branch fee | Varies by tax collector office |
Florida car tax exemptions & special cases
| Qualifying family gift | Sales tax $0; initial registration fee typically exempt |
|---|---|
| Inheritance / operation of law | Sales tax $0; initial registration fee typically exempt |
| Surviving spouse title-only change | Title fee waived; no sales tax |
| Transferring an existing Florida plate | No $225 initial registration fee and no new plate fee |
| Qualifying military | Initial registration fee may be exempt |
| Tax paid to another U.S. state | Credit against Florida tax |
Florida car tax FAQ
Does the county surtax apply to the whole price in Florida?
No. It applies only to the first $5,000 of the taxable price.
What is Florida's $225 fee?
The initial registration fee, charged the first time a vehicle gets a Florida plate. It doesn't apply if you transfer an existing plate.
Does my trade-in reduce Florida sales tax?
Yes. The trade-in comes off the price before the 6% is applied.
How much is a Florida title?
$75.25 for an electronic title, or $85.25 for a vehicle coming from out of state.
Sources & verification
We checked these figures against the following official pages on October 7, 2026:
- www.flhsmv.gov/fees/
- www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/proc/rs/rs-30.pdf
- floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/brochure/gt800030.pdf
Not yet confirmed on an official page: new vehicle title +2; plate 28; motorcycle 24.10; moped 19.10. Treat these figures as estimates.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll recheck it.