Jacksonville Sales Tax
Florida. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in Florida
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of Florida, including Jacksonville.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Exempt | Unprepared food at grocery stores. |
| Clothing | Taxed (full rate) | Everyday apparel and footwear. |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Florida sales tax holiday
At 7.50% combined rate, a $500 clothing purchase normally costs $37.50in tax. On the tax-free weekend (within caps), that's $0.00.
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.75 | $10.75 |
| $50 | $3.75 | $53.75 |
| $100 | $7.50 | $107.50 |
| $250 | $18.75 | $268.75 |
| $500 | $37.50 | $537.50 |
| $1,000 | $75.00 | $1075.00 |
| $5,000 | $375.00 | $5375.00 |
| $10,000 | $750.00 | $10750.00 |
Border shopping — neighboring states
For larger purchases, driving to a neighboring state with lower sales tax can save real money. Top metro sales tax in each contiguous neighbor of Florida.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Jacksonville | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (current) | Jacksonville | 7.50% | — | — |
| Georgia | Savannah | 7.00% | -0.50% | $5.00 |
| Alabama | Huntsville | 9.00% | +1.50% | — |
Use tax (state where you live) may still apply on out-of-state purchases for items shipped or for registered goods like vehicles. For everyday retail walked across the border, savings are realized at point of sale.
Other cities in Florida
Orlando has the lowest combined rate in our Florida coverage at 6.50% — that's 1.00% below Jacksonville ($10.00 less per $1,000 spent).
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Jacksonville?
- Jacksonville, Florida charges a combined sales tax of 7.50%. That's 6.00% state tax plus 1.50% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Jacksonville?
- Florida exempts unprepared groceries from state sales tax. Hot or prepared food (deli, restaurant, hot bar) is still taxable at the full combined rate.
- Is clothing taxed in Jacksonville?
- Yes — Florida taxes clothing at the full combined rate of 7.50%. Look for the Back-to-School Holiday (Late July - early August (varies by year)) when clothing/footwear < $100, school supplies < $50, computers < $1,500 are tax-free.
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Jacksonville?
- Three levers: (1) the Back-to-School Holiday in Late July - early August (varies by year), (2) buy exempt categories (groceries, prescription drugs), (3) drive across the border if a nearby state has a lower rate.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Local sales tax rates change frequently and may include special district levies not modeled here. Verify with the retailer or local taxing authority for large purchases. Category exemption rules and tax holidays change by year — check the Florida Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → Florida state rate →
Last reviewed: · Beforeview Editorial · editorial policy