Sales tax in Highlands County, Florida
The sales tax rate in Highlands County, Florida is 7.5%. That is a 6% state rate plus a 1.5% county rate, and it is the same at every address in the county. That rate was read from Florida's own published schedule and checked on September 9, 2026.
What is the sales tax rate in Highlands County?
| Florida state rate | 6% |
|---|---|
| Highlands County rate | 1.5% |
| Combined rate | 7.5% |
How much sales tax is that on a purchase in Highlands County?
At 7.5%, a $100 purchase carries $7.50 in sales tax and a $1,000 purchase $75.00. That is general merchandise; Florida taxes some categories, often groceries, differently, as the note below explains.
Among Florida's 67 counties, Highlands County's rate ranks 2nd highest, level with 21 other counties. See every Florida county.
Sales tax in counties next to Highlands County
Highlands County borders 7 counties. The lowest rate next door is 7% in Charlotte County, FL, which is $5.00 less on a $1,000 purchase than Highlands County's rate.
| County | Combined sales tax |
|---|---|
| DeSoto County, FL | 7.5% |
| Osceola County, FL | 7.5% |
| Highlands County, FL (this county) | 7.5% |
| Charlotte County, FL | 7% |
| Glades County, FL | 7% |
| Hardee County, FL | 7% |
| Okeechobee County, FL | 7% |
| Polk County, FL | 7% |
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?
Use Florida's own address lookup.
Who has to collect sales tax in Highlands County?
Any seller with a physical presence in Florida collects at the rate for the address of the sale; a remote seller does once it passes Florida's economic nexus threshold. Florida sales tax covers the statewide rules and what is exempt.
Work out your own numbers
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Sales tax calculator
Tax on a specific purchase at this county's rate, and the total you will actually pay.
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Do you have to collect?
Whether your sales into Florida cross its economic nexus threshold. A different question from the rate.
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Property tax in Highlands County
The other local tax: effective rate and median bill for this county.
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Sales tax by county
Every US county, and how Florida compares with the rest of the country.
Sources
- Highlands County rates: Florida Department of Revenue, Form DR-15DSS, Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026 (R. 11/25), https://floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/dr15dss_26.pdf
- Collected and verified September 9, 2026. Confidence: P on the rate components, P on the range (P read on a primary agency page, S strong but indirect, U unverified).