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State sales tax 6% · County surtax on the first $5,000 · Title $70 + $1 · FLHSMV / Florida DOR
If you are buying a car in Florida, tax, title, and license — TTL — is not one statewide lump. You pay Florida sales or use tax at 6% of the taxable price, plus a county discretionary surtax that applies only to the first $5,000, then title and tag fees at the county tax collector. On a $40,000 purchase with no trade-in, tax is $2,450.00 in Miami-Dade and $2,400.00 in Collier — a $50.00 gap that is entirely local surtax. Add original title, the $225 initial registration fee, a new plate, and the 3,500 lb license tax, and the same Miami-Dade deal is about $2,806.50. Use the calculator on this page with your county of residence.In this guide
- How much is tax, title, and license in Florida?
- What TTL includes
- Florida vehicle sales tax and the $5,000 surtax cap
- How a trade-in changes the tax
- How to calculate TTL, step by step
- Florida title fees
- Registration, tags, IRF, and weight tax
- Used cars vs new cars
- Gifts, inheritance, plate transfers, and new residents
- What this page does not estimate
- How to use this calculator
- Two complete buying examples
- Common questions
Estimate your own deal: The Florida tax, title, and license calculator on this page uses the same county surtax table as the examples below. Every figure is an estimate. Surtax follows the purchaser’s residence on the title, not the dealer’s lot. Final amounts are set by the county tax collector and FLHSMV. Verify at FLHSMV and the Florida Department of Revenue.
How much is tax, title, and license in Florida?
Short answer: State tax is always 6% of the taxable price (price minus a qualifying dealer trade-in). County surtax is extra, but only on the first $5,000. On a $40,000 car that is $2,450.00 in Miami-Dade (1% surtax) and $2,400.00 in Collier (0% surtax). Title starts at $70 plus $1 for security materials — $71.00 on a simple original. A first Florida plate also adds the $225 initial registration fee, a metal plate of $28, and a weight-based license tax. Original TTL on that $40,000 Miami-Dade car at 3,500 lb and over is about $2,806.50 before branch fees, smog-style extras, or specialty plates.
That is why “how much is TTL in Florida?” never has one dollar answer. The 6% piece is the same in Orlando, Tampa, and Naples. The surtax, and whether you owe the $225 IRF, is not. A $15,000 used car in Miami-Dade has tax of $950.00. The same price in Collier is $900.00. The gap is still only the capped surtax — not 1% of $15,000 versus 0% of $15,000 on the full price.
| County of residence | Surtax | Tax on $40,000 | Tax + title | Original TTL (new plate, 3,500+ lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 1% | $2,450.00 | $2,521.00 | $2,806.50 |
| Broward | 1% | $2,450.00 | $2,521.00 | $2,806.50 |
| Orange | 0.5% | $2,425.00 | $2,496.00 | $2,781.50 |
| Hillsborough | 1.5% | $2,475.00 | $2,546.00 | $2,831.50 |
| Duval | 1.5% | $2,475.00 | $2,546.00 | $2,831.50 |
| Collier | 0% | $2,400.00 | $2,471.00 | $2,756.50 |
| Hamilton | 2% | $2,500.00 | $2,571.00 | $2,856.50 |
Miami-Dade versus Collier on this $40,000 example is a $50.00 tax difference. Hillsborough and Duval currently share 1.5% in this table, so tax on $40,000 is $2,475.00 in both. Hamilton’s 2% is the high end of this snapshot: surtax on $40,000 is still only $100.00 — $5,000 × 2% — not 2% of $40,000.
Important: Florida does not tax the full vehicle price at the combined “7% Miami” rate you see on a restaurant receipt. State tax is 6% of the whole taxable price. County discretionary surtax on a motor vehicle is limited to the first $5,000 (Florida Statutes ch. 212). Applying the county rate to $40,000 overstates local tax by thousands of dollars.
References:
- Florida Statutes § 212.05 — 6% sales, storage, and use tax
- Florida Statutes §§ 212.054–212.055 — discretionary sales surtax; motor-vehicle limitation
- Florida Department of Revenue — Discretionary Sales Surtax Information
- FLHSMV procedure TL-08 — motor vehicle sales/use tax, trade-ins, and exemptions
- Florida Statutes § 319.32 — title fees; § 320.072 — initial registration fee; § 320.08(2) — private auto license tax
What tax, title, and license includes in Florida
Dealers often quote one TTL number. The tax collector itemizes it. Breaking the bill apart is how you check a buyer’s order — and it matches what people mean by a Florida TTL calculator or “tax title license calculator Florida.”
Tax
This is 6% of the taxable sales price, plus county surtax on the first $5,000 of that same taxable price. A dealer sale is generally sales tax. A private-party sale is generally paid as use tax when you title. On a $40,000 Miami-Dade purchase, state tax is $2,400.00 and surtax is $50.00, for $2,450.00 combined.
Title
Florida’s statutory original title fee is $70, plus $1 for security materials (§ 319.32). This estimator’s simple original is $71.00. A lien notation is $2. Paper-title mail is $2.50. Out-of-state title add-ons commonly add $10 in FLHSMV charts. County service/branch amounts vary — this page defaults them to $0 unless you enter them. Charts that print a single “$75.25 in-state title” are bundling extras; the statute base is still $70 + $1.
License (registration / tags / plates)
A first Florida registration of a private auto typically includes the one-time $225 initial registration fee (F.S. § 320.072), a metal plate of $28, and an annual license tax by net weight: $14.50 under 2,500 lb, $22.50 from 2,500–3,499 lb, or $32.50 at 3,500 lb and over (F.S. § 320.08(2)). Renewals and qualifying plate transfers do not get another $225 IRF.
Example 1 — Tax only on $40,000 in Miami-Dade vs Collier
Miami-Dade: $2,450.00. Collier: $2,400.00. Gap: $50.00.
Example 2 — Same Miami-Dade car, original plates
Tax $2,450.00 + title $71.00 + IRF $225 + plate $28 + weight $32.50 = $2,806.50.
Florida vehicle sales tax: 6% statewide, surtax on the first $5,000
The statewide motor-vehicle sales/use tax is 6%. It does not change when you cross from Orange into Osceola. What changes is the discretionary sales surtax each county may levy. On cars, that local rate applies only to the first $5,000 of the taxable price (after a qualifying trade-in), based on the purchaser’s residence address on the title — not the dealership county alone.
In this table, Collier and Citrus are 0%. Orange, Lee, St. Johns, and Volusia are 0.5%. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach are 1%. Hillsborough, Duval, and Osceola are 1.5%. Hamilton is 2%. Always confirm an odd ZIP at DOR; levies change.
Example 1 — $40,000, no trade, four counties
State tax (6% of $40,000): $2,400.00 everywhere Miami-Dade surtax (1% × $5,000): $50.00 → tax $2,450.00 Orange surtax (0.5%): $25.00 → tax $2,425.00 Hillsborough surtax (1.5%): $75.00 → tax $2,475.00 Collier surtax (0%): $0.00 → tax $2,400.00
Example 2 — Car cheaper than $5,000
On a $4,000 private sale, surtax uses the full $4,000, not a $5,000 fiction. Miami-Dade tax is $280.00 (state $240.00 + surtax $40.00). Collier tax is $240.00 — state tax only.
Florida does not levy a separate annual “car property tax” like some states. What people call Florida car tax on a purchase is this sales/use tax. What people call tags is the license-tax / plate stack, not an ad valorem bill from the property appraiser.
How a Florida trade-in changes the tax
Unlike California, Florida recognizes a qualifying dealer trade-in against the taxable difference (FLHSMV TL-08). Tax is computed on price minus trade, then surtax still hits only the first $5,000 of that taxable amount.
Example 1 — $40,000 Miami-Dade car, $10,000 trade-in
Taxable base: $30,000.00. Tax: $1,850.00. Without the trade, tax would be $2,450.00. The trade saved state tax; surtax stayed $50.00 because the taxable price is still above $5,000.
Example 2 — $30,000 car, $5,000 trade, Miami-Dade
Taxable: $25,000.00 State 6%: $1,500.00 Surtax (still on first $5,000): $50.00 Total tax: $1,550.00
A cash discount that truly lowers the selling price also lowers the measure. Financing does not. A private-party “I’ll take $2,000 off if you pay cash” is a price change only if that is the price you report at the tax collector.
How to calculate tax and license on a Florida car
- Start with taxable price. Dealer purchase: selling price minus qualifying trade-in. Private party: the price you pay.
- State tax = 6% × taxable price. On $40,000 with no trade that is $2,400.00.
- County surtax = county rate × the lesser of taxable price or $5,000. Miami-Dade on $40,000: $50.00. Hamilton: $100.00.
- Title = $70 + $1 ($71.00), plus lien/mail/OOS/service if they apply.
- If this is a first Florida plate: add IRF $225 + plate $28 + weight tax. Skip IRF on a qualifying plate transfer, renewal, or listed exemption.
- Gift / inheritance: sales tax can be $0 when documented; title may still be due; IRF is typically exempt under § 320.072(2)(c).
Example 1 — Walkthrough: $40,000 new car, Miami-Dade, original plate, 3,500+ lb
Taxable price: $40,000 State tax: $2,400.00 Surtax: $50.00 Combined tax: $2,450.00 Title: $71.00 IRF + plate + weight: $225 + $28 + $32.50 Estimated original TTL: $2,806.50
Example 2 — Walkthrough: $15,000 used car, Orange County, original plate, 2,500–3,499 lb
Use tax: $925.00 Title: $71.00 Original TTL at mid weight: $1,271.50
A dealer doc fee is not a FLHSMV fee. This estimator does not add doc fees to the Florida tax base. Enter a doc fee only if you want it in the cash total.
Florida title fees
F.S. § 319.32 sets the original (and duplicate) certificate of title at $70 for ordinary private vehicles, plus $1 security materials. For-hire classes can be $49 — this passenger calculator uses the $70 line. Salvage titles, physical exams, and expedited service are separate statutory amounts; this page does not invent them into the default total.
Example 1 — Simple original title
$71.00 ($70 + $1). County branch/service charges can sit on top when the tax collector assesses them.
Example 2 — Financed car from out of state
Add lien $2 and the common OOS title add-on $10 when those apply. Paper mail adds $2.50. Surviving-spouse title-only changes can have the title fee waived under § 319.32(7) (except expedited) — this estimator zeros that title line when you choose that ownership type.
Registration, tags, the $225 IRF, and weight tax
The most expensive Florida “license” surprise is the $225 initial registration fee. It applies to the first Florida registration of private autos (and listed classes) under § 320.072. It does not apply to renewals, to a plate transferred from a vehicle you disposed of (§ 320.0609), to many co-owner / operation-of-law / immediate-family household transfers, or to listed military categories in § 320.072(2)(d).
| Private auto net weight | Annual license tax |
|---|---|
| Under 2,500 lb | $14.50 |
| 2,500–3,499 lb | $22.50 |
| 3,500 lb and over | $32.50 |
Example 1 — Brand-new Florida plate
IRF $225 + plate $28 + weight. On a 3,500+ lb car that registration block is included in $285.50 (no sales tax in that line).
Example 2 — Transferring your existing Florida plate
IRF is $0.00. Plate metal is not charged again in this estimator when you mark a transfer. You still pay the weight tax and, on an ownership change, title $71.00.
Late registration penalties exist at the tax collector. This page does not invent a late-fee formula — use the county / FLHSMV calculator if you are already past due. Specialty plates cost extra.
Used cars vs new cars
Florida does not use a lower sales-tax rate for used cars. A used-car tax calculator and a new-car tax calculator share 6% and the same county surtax cap. What changes is the price (and whether this is a first plate or a transfer).
Example 1 — $15,000 private-party used car, Miami-Dade
Use tax: $950.00. Original TTL at 3,500+ lb: $1,306.50.
Example 2 — $40,000 new car, same Miami-Dade address
Sales tax: $2,450.00. Original TTL: $2,806.50. The rate is still 6% + 1% on the first $5,000. The car is more expensive, so state tax is higher; surtax is the same $50.00 as on the $15,000 car because both prices exceed the cap.
Gifts, inheritance, plate transfers, and new residents
FLHSMV TL-08 and DOR materials describe sales-tax exemptions for qualifying gifts and certain family transfers, and for inheritance / operation-of-law. This is not a blanket “any relative is free.” Document the relationship. Purchases from a dealer are generally taxable. Immediate-family same-household paths can also exempt the $225 IRF under § 320.072(2)(c).
Example 1 — Qualifying family gift of a $30,000 car, Miami-Dade
Sales tax: $0.00. Title still shows $71.00. IRF: $0.00.
Example 2 — Out-of-state car, first Florida title, $40,000, Miami-Dade
Use tax (no credit entered): $2,450.00. Credit for tax paid to another U.S. state can reduce that dollar; foreign VAT does not substitute. Title often includes the OOS add-on. IRF $225 applies unless you qualify for an exemption (including listed military categories). Enter any documented other-state tax as a credit in the calculator.
What this page does not estimate
This calculator is for on-highway Florida motor vehicles titled at a county tax collector. It is not a vessel (boat) fee estimator, not an IRP/commercial weight-fee chart, and not DOR’s general sales-tax calculator for other goods.
- Boats: Vessel registration is a different FLHSMV program. This page does not publish a made-up boat fee.
- EV surcharge: No statewide EV registration add-on is defaulted here. Do not assume a California-style RIF.
- Dealer doc fees: No statewide statutory cap was verified. Enter yours; it is not treated as a FLHSMV line.
- Permit tests, driver license, CRV, gun tax, title insurance, real-estate documentary stamps: Other Florida programs. They do not belong in car TTL.
How to use this Florida TTL calculator
- Choose the county of residence that will appear on the title (Miami-Dade vs Broward vs Orange, not the dealer’s county unless you live there).
- Enter purchase price. Enter a trade-in when it is a qualifying dealer trade — Florida tax will drop.
- Pick dealer vs private party, and gift / inheritance / surviving-spouse if that is the transaction.
- Mark original Florida registration versus plate transfer. Set vehicle weight band for the license tax.
- Add lien, paper mail, out-of-state title, or military IRF exemption when they apply.
- Optional financing uses a Federal Reserve G.19 APR only as an illustration. Your lender’s rate will differ. Financing does not change the tax.
Two complete buying examples
Example 1 — New $40,000 car, Miami-Dade, $10,000 trade, original plates, 3,500+ lb
Selling price: $40,000 Trade-in: $10,000 → taxable $30,000.00 State + surtax: $1,850.00 Title: $71.00 IRF / plate / weight: $225 / $28 / $32.50 Estimated TTL: $2,206.50 County branch / specialty plates / doc: not included unless you add them
Example 2 — Used $15,000 private sale, Orange vs Osceola, original plates, mid weight
Orange (0.5%) tax: $925.00 Orange original estimate: $1,271.50 Osceola (1.5%) tax: $975.00 Osceola original estimate: $1,321.50 Tax gap (Osceola minus Orange): $50.00
That gap is surtax on the first $5,000 only: Osceola $75.00 versus Orange $25.00.
Common questions
How much is tax, title, and license on a new car in Florida?
On $40,000 with no trade, original plates, and 3,500+ lb: about $2,806.50 in Miami-Dade and $2,756.50 in Collier. Tax alone is $2,450.00 vs $2,400.00.
How much is tax and license on a used car in Florida?
Same 6% + capped surtax on the used price. A $15,000 Miami-Dade used car has tax of $950.00. Add title and, if it is a first Florida plate, IRF $225.
What is the title transfer fee in Florida?
Original title is $70 plus $1, or $71.00 in this estimator before lien, mail, OOS, and service charges.
Is there a $225 Florida registration fee?
Yes — the initial registration fee of $225 on a first Florida registration of listed vehicle classes. It is not an annual tax. Plate transfers and renewals should not be quoted another $225 if they qualify under § 320.072.
Does Florida charge sales tax on the full price plus local tax on the full price?
No. Local discretionary surtax on a motor vehicle is limited to the first $5,000. A $40,000 Hamilton purchase has surtax of $100.00, not 2% of $40,000.
How much are tags in Florida?
There is no single tag price. Plan on plate $28 when you need new metal, plus weight tax ($14.50 / $22.50 / $32.50), plus IRF on a first registration.
Does a trade-in reduce Florida car tax?
A qualifying dealer trade-in does. A $40,000 Miami-Dade purchase with a $10,000 trade has tax of $1,850.00 instead of $2,450.00.
Do I pay extra to register an EV in Florida?
This estimator does not add a statewide EV registration surcharge. Sales tax still follows the price. Confirm any later FLHSMV program at the tax collector rather than copying another state’s EV fee.
Is sales tax based on the dealer or where I live?
Residence on the title/registration for the discretionary surtax. A Jacksonville buyer at a St. Johns dealer still generally uses Duval’s 1.5% for the capped local piece.
Before you sign the buyer’s order
Florida TTL is 6% of taxable price, plus county surtax on only the first $5,000, plus title $71.00, plus tags. Trade-ins can reduce tax. The $225 IRF is a first-plate fee, not a forever tax. Do not apply a restaurant-style combined rate to the full sticker.
Run your county, price, trade-in, and plate situation through the calculator on this page, then let the county tax collector issue the official total.
Complete reference list
- Florida Department of Revenue — floridarevenue.com (discretionary surtax publications)
- FLHSMV — flhsmv.gov; procedure TL-08
- Florida Statutes § 212.05; §§ 212.054–212.055
- Florida Statutes § 319.32 (title); § 320.072 (IRF); § 320.08(2) (private auto license tax); § 320.0609 (plate transfer)
- Federal Reserve G.19 Consumer Credit (APR illustration only)
Disclaimer: This article and the VehicleTaxCalculator.com Florida calculator are estimates for planning. They are not affiliated with FLHSMV, the Florida Department of Revenue, or any county tax collector. Combined surtax rates come from the calculator’s county table and can change when a levy changes. Final tax and fees are set by the tax collector / FLHSMV. Dealer documentary fees, branch charges, penalties, and specialty plates may add more. Verify at https://www.flhsmv.gov/ and https://floridarevenue.com/. This is not legal, tax, or lending advice.