What is the sales tax rate on new cars in Florida?

Florida's sales tax on new cars is 6%, with no additional state tax beyond that base rate. However, your actual out-of-pocket tax depends on your county—most Florida counties add a surtax on top of the state rate, ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%, bringing your total to somewhere between 6.5% and 7.5%. For example, Broward County adds 1%, so you'd pay 7% total; Miami-Dade adds 1%, also 7%; Palm Beach adds 0.5%, totaling 6.5%. The sales tax applies to the vehicle's selling price, and you pay it when you register the car with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles—not at the dealership, though dealers often collect it upfront as part of your deal. One thing many buyers overlook: if you're trading in a vehicle, Florida allows you to subtract that trade-in value from the selling price before calculating sales tax. So if you buy a $20,000 car and trade in a $5,000 vehicle, you only pay tax on $15,000. This can save you several hundred dollars, which is why getting an accurate trade-in appraisal matters. If you're buying through a broker like Elite Edge, the sales tax process stays the same—you're still responsible for it—but a broker shops multiple lenders and dealer inventory to find you the best deal, which can lower the vehicle price itself and therefore reduce your tax bill. Get a free trade-in appraisal at tradein.eliteedgeautobroker.com to see exactly what your vehicle is worth, then reach out at (954) 907-2386 to discuss your purchase and financing options.

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