How much is sales tax on a $20,000 car in Florida?
On a $20,000 car in Florida, the state sales tax is 6% ($1,200). In addition, a county discretionary sales surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the price; depending on your county’s rate, that adds roughly $0 to about $125. In practice, most buyers will owe around $1,200 to $1,325 in sales tax on a $20,000 vehicle, before any title/registration fees or other charges. Below is how it works and how to estimate your exact total.
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What taxes apply to a car purchase in Florida
Florida imposes a 6% state sales tax on the taxable price of a motor vehicle. Counties may also levy a discretionary sales surtax that applies to the first $5,000 of the purchase price of a motor vehicle, based on the county where the vehicle will be registered. That surtax is added on top of the 6% state tax.
The formula for a $20,000 vehicle
For a $20,000 purchase: State tax = 6% of $20,000 = $1,200. County surtax = your county’s surtax rate multiplied by $5,000 (the capped amount subject to surtax). Total tax due = $1,200 + (county surtax rate × $5,000).
Example totals for common surtax rates
The following examples show how the county surtax changes the total tax on a $20,000 vehicle, using several possible county rates. These are illustrative; check your specific county’s current rate.
- 0.0% county surtax: $1,200 total tax
- 0.5% county surtax: $1,225 total tax ($1,200 + $25)
- 1.0% county surtax: $1,250 total tax ($1,200 + $50)
- 1.5% county surtax: $1,275 total tax ($1,200 + $75)
- 2.0% county surtax: $1,300 total tax ($1,200 + $100)
- 2.5% county surtax: $1,325 total tax ($1,200 + $125)
Because the surtax applies only to the first $5,000, the difference between counties is limited to the surtax rate times $5,000, while the 6% state tax applies to the full purchase price.
How Florida determines the taxable amount
Florida calculates sales tax on the “taxable price,” which can differ from the sticker price. Key points: trade-in value given at the time of sale reduces the taxable amount; dealer discounts reduce the taxable amount; manufacturer rebates are generally taxable in Florida; dealer fees (e.g., doc/dealer service fees) are typically taxable; state title, registration, and license plate fees are not subject to sales tax. Optional products such as extended service agreements and certain add-ons may be taxable—ask the dealer how each line item is treated.
Out-of-state purchases and Florida use tax
If you buy the car in another state and bring it into Florida within six months, Florida use tax (the same 6% rate) and applicable county surtax are typically due, with a credit for legally imposed sales tax paid to the other state. The county surtax is still limited to the first $5,000 and is based on the Florida county of registration.
How to find your county’s surtax rate
You can confirm the current discretionary sales surtax for your county through official Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) resources. Follow these steps to check the latest rate before you buy.
- Go to the Florida Department of Revenue’s “Discretionary Sales Surtax” page.
- Open the current calendar year’s county surtax rate chart.
- Find your county of registration and note the surtax rate.
- Apply that rate to $5,000 and add the result to the 6% state tax on the full price.
Because surtax rates can change by calendar year and differ across counties, verifying the current rate ensures your estimate matches what you’ll actually owe at the dealership or tax office.
Quick calculator you can use
To estimate quickly: Total tax on $20,000 = $1,200 + ($5,000 × your county’s surtax rate). For example, at a 1% surtax, total tax is $1,200 + $50 = $1,250. At 0.5%, it’s $1,225; at 1.5%, it’s $1,275.
Summary
For a $20,000 car in Florida, the state sales tax is $1,200 (6%), plus a county discretionary surtax on the first $5,000 of the price. Depending on your county’s rate, that adds roughly $0 to about $125, putting most buyers in the $1,200–$1,325 range for sales tax. Confirm your county’s current surtax rate with the Florida Department of Revenue and remember that trade-ins and dealer discounts can reduce the taxable amount, while many fees and rebates are treated differently for tax purposes.
