Hillsborough County, Florida sales tax rate (2026)
The sales tax rate collected in Hillsborough County, Florida is 6.5% (6% state + 0.5% school surtax) for 2026, because 1.0% of the county's legal 1.5% surtax is suspended (Florida DOR TIP 24A01-15, verified Oct 22, 2026).
Last updated Oct 22, 2026 · Last verified Oct 22, 2026
Surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of a single item.
Which county's surtax applies to a car? For cars and other motor vehicles or mobile homes that must be registered, the county surtax is based on the county where you live, as shown on your registration or title, not the county where the dealer is located (s. 212.054(3)(a)2., F.S.). Source.
What is the sales tax in Hillsborough County?
6.5% in 2026: Florida's 6% state sales tax plus Hillsborough County's 0.5% school capital outlay surtax. The legal surtax rate is 1.5%, but 1.0% has been suspended since January 1, 2025 (Florida DOR TIP 24A01-15).
| Rate | Percent |
|---|---|
| Florida state sales tax | 6% |
| County surtax | 0.5% |
| Combined | 6.5% |
| Surtax | Effective | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5% | Dec 1, 1996 | Dec 31, 2041 |
| 0.5% | Oct 1, 2001 | None |
| 0.5% | Jan 1, 2019 | Dec 31, 2028 |
Suspension note: Hillsborough County's legal surtax rate is 1.5% (Florida DOR DR-15DSS, calendar year 2026), but 1.0% of it (the 0.5% indigent care surtax and the 0.5% local government infrastructure surtax) has been temporarily suspended since January 1, 2025 under DOR TIP 24A01-15. Dealers collect the 0.5% school capital outlay surtax, for a combined 6.5%. The table above lists the surtaxes on DR-15DSS, which total the legal 1.5%.
When do Hillsborough County's surtaxes expire?
Including the suspended surtaxes, DR-15DSS lists: 0.5% effective Dec 1, 1996, expires Dec 31, 2041; 0.5% effective Oct 1, 2001, no expiration date; 0.5% effective Jan 1, 2019, expires Dec 31, 2028.
How much sales tax is on a $30,000 car in Hillsborough County?
$1,825.00: 6% of $30,000 is $1,800, plus the 0.5% surtax on only the first $5,000 ($25.00), because the county surtax is capped at $5,000 per single item.
All 67 Florida counties · Cost of owning a home in Hillsborough
Sources
- Florida DOR Form DR-15DSS, Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026 (R. 11/25) (verified Oct 22, 2026)
- s.212.054(2)(b), Florida Statutes (surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of a single item) (verified Oct 22, 2026)
- Florida DOR TIP 24A01-15, Temporary Suspension of Hillsborough County Discretionary Sales Surtaxes (Nov 19, 2024) (verified Oct 22, 2026)
We re-verify these figures quarterly and on Jan 1 and July 1. Next review: Jan 2, 2027.