Sales tax in Highlands County, Florida

What is the sales tax rate in Highlands County?

Why the rate here is not the whole story

Florida's state rate is 6 percent and Highlands County levies a discretionary sales surtax of 1.5 percent, which applies countywide because Florida cities and special districts cannot levy a general sales tax of their own. The 1.5 percent is the total of 2 separate surtaxes the county levies at once, each with its own purpose and expiration date, and the form lists the total as the rate a dealer collects. The surtax is charged only on the first $5,000 of a single item of tangible personal property, so the county portion stops accruing above that amount while the 6 percent state tax applies to the full price.

How do I find the exact rate for an address in Highlands County?

The rate is the same across Highlands County, but if you are collecting tax it is worth confirming against the source. Use Florida's own lookup. A vendor's calculator is not the state speaking.

Who has to collect sales tax in Highlands County?

A seller with a physical presence in Florida collects at the rate for the address where the sale takes place. A remote seller collects once it passes Florida's economic nexus threshold, which is a separate question from the rate and is covered on our sales tax nexus checker. Marketplace facilitators generally collect on behalf of their sellers.

How does Highlands County compare?

See Florida sales tax for the statewide picture, including the average local rate and what is exempt. Property tax is a separate tax with separate rules: property tax in Highlands County.