How to File Sales Tax in Florida

If you’re selling digital services and products to customers in Florida, then you might be liable for FL sales tax. We’ve compiled over 10 years of experience in tax compliance to create this comprehensive guide, which covers how to file Florida sales tax returns online and stay compliant with the state's regulations.

We’ve scoured the Florida's Department of Revenue (FDOR) website to provide you with all the necessary information about sales tax for businesses in one convenient place.

How to file sales tax returns in Florida

Sales and taxes should be reported and filed using US dollars. If you’ve made any transactions in Florida in a different currency, be sure to convert those to USD using official currency exchange rates.

When to file and pay FL sales tax

The timing for filing your return depends on your sales volume and the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) will assign you a filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or yearly) after you register for a Florida sales tax permit. Generally, larger businesses are asked to file more frequently.

Florida sales tax returns and payments must be remitted at the same time; both have the same due date. The FDOR requires all sales tax filing to be completed by the 20th of the month following the assigned filing period. Due dates falling on a weekend or holiday are adjusted to the following business day.

FL sales tax filing deadlines

Important Note: Zero Returns

Even if you didn’t make any sales in Florida during your reporting period, you must still file a "zero return." This follows the exact same process as a normal return, just with no tax liability to report. Failure to submit a zero return can result in penalties and interest charges.

How to prepare your Florida sales tax return

Before you start working on your sales tax return, you'll need to collect all the sales information for your tax period. The FDOR online tax return system will guide you, but generally, you’ll need the following details:

• Total gross sales and income in Florida.
• Total purchases and expenses (if applicable for deductions).
• Documentation for any exemptions or lawful deductions.
• Your bank account and routing number for electronic payment.

How to complete and file a Florida sales tax return online

The final step is to file and remit tax. The FDOR has an online filing system where you can enter your information to generate the return. You can log in to the MyFlorida Tax portal.

Step-by-step instructions for filing on MyFlorida Tax Portal (Form DR-15):

1. Access the Portal: Go to the official Florida sales and use tax portal.
2. Log In: Sign in using your username and password or your certificate number and business partner number. If you do not have these login credentials, you will need to set them up; they are generally created when you submit registration paperwork for a sales tax permit.
3. Navigate to Sales and Use Tax: Once logged in, you will be directed to your dashboard. Select the account for which you want to file a return by clicking the "Sales and Use Tax" button directly in the middle of the screen. You can also view due dates at the top of this page.
4. Select DR-15 (Sales and Use Return): Assuming this is the original return for the period, you will need to select the top button "DR-15 (Sales and Use Return)."
5. Enter Sales Data:
   • First, select the period that you wish to file.
   • Second, fill out the contact information and signature box.
   • Understanding the Form DR-15 Sections:
     • #1 A-E (Gross Sales Numbers): Enter your gross sales numbers.
     • #2 A-E (Exemptions): Enter your exemptions related to your gross sales data.
     • #3 (Taxable Amount): This field should auto-calculate for you.
     • #4 (Tax Due): You must manually enter the amount of tax due, including the state rate (6%) and any applicable county surtax. County surtax rates range from 0.50% to 1.50% and vary by county. Be sure to include both state and county tax in this column. You can find your specific county's surtax rate on the official Florida Department of Revenue website.
     • #5, #7, and #10: These fields will all auto-calculate for you.
     • Lawful Deductions (Line 6): If you had any lawful deductions, include them here. According to the Florida Department of Revenue website, a lawful deduction is defined as "... tax refunded by you to your customers for returned goods or allowances for damaged merchandise, tax paid by you on purchases of goods intended for use or consumption but sold by you instead, Hope Scholarship Credits, and any other deductions allowed by law."
     • Collection Allowance (Line 11): If you are filing this return on time, you are allowed a timely filing discount called a "collection allowance." To calculate your collection allowance, multiply line 10 by 2.5%. The maximum collection allowance is $30.
     • Amount Due (Line 14): The amount due with the return will not automatically calculate on this page. Don’t worry; when you click the next button, it will calculate on the subsequent page.
   • Remaining Sections (Lines 15-21):
     • Lines 15(a) – 15(d): These are the most commonly used lines. If you have any sales not subject to the additional surtax, put this value in box 15(b). These sales should be included in column 3 above. Now, take the taxable sales included in column 3 and subtract line 15(b) for the amount of line 15(c). Line 15(d) should be the actual discretionary tax due, not including the sales tax. Line 15(a) is where you put the amount of exemptions over $5,000, if applicable.
     • Lines 16-21: These are more unique lines that you may or may not need to use. Read them carefully to determine if they apply to your business.
   • Double-check all your numbers and click "next" at the bottom.
6. Submit Return and Payment: You will now be given the option of submitting the return by itself or submitting payment with the return. Assuming you want to submit an electronic payment with the return, select the button on the right.
7. Enter Payment Information: Carefully fill in your bank account and routing number. Florida requires you to type in your name, phone number, and email address as a signature. Select the appropriate payment date.
   • Important Payment Note: For your electronic payment to arrive on time, banking rules require that the payment must be transmitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on the banking business day prior to the 20th. Otherwise, you might get a fine.
   • For US-based businesses, payments should be made using the method you selected when you first registered for sales tax, either credit or debit ACH payment.
   • International businesses should use the method you have specifically arranged with Florida’s Department of Revenue.
8. Confirmation: Now, follow the buttons at the bottom to submit your return and payment at the same time. You should receive a confirmation once successfully completed.

How to pay Florida sales tax

Tax payments must be in US dollars. This is rolled into the step-by-step process described above.

For US-based businesses, payments should be made using the method you selected when you first registered for sales tax, either credit or debit ACH payment.

International businesses should use the method you have specifically arranged with Florida’s Department of Revenue.

Note: For your electronic payment to arrive on time, banking rules require that the payment must be transmitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on the banking business day prior to the 20th. Otherwise you might get a fine!

What to do after filing

Reprint Confirmation Page(s): If you forgot to print or save a copy of your sales tax return, you can easily go back into the period to view and/or print the return that you just filed. Go back to the dashboard and click into the "Reprint Confirmation Page(s)" button. Then select the return that you wish to print.

Late filing penalties and interest

Filing a Florida sales tax return late may result in a late filing penalty as well as interest on any outstanding tax due. If you miss a sales tax filing deadline, it's always "better late than never" – file your return as soon as possible to minimize additional charges. In the event a Florida sales tax filing deadline was missed due to circumstances beyond your control (e.g., weather, accident), the Florida DOR may grant you an extension. However, you may be asked to provide evidence supporting your claim.

Getting third-party help with sales tax filing

While you can file directly with the FDOR, manual filing is difficult, especially for larger businesses with many transactions across different districts. Outsourcing to experts like accountants, bookkeepers, or sales tax automation companies is common. They understand FL sales tax law and can help you navigate its complexities.

Quaderno offers a service to simplify your sales tax compliance. Besides generating detailed tax reports with all necessary data, Quaderno can handle the filing process for you. By connecting to your sales data, Quaderno manages the submission of your sales tax returns to FDOR, ensuring timely and accurate filing. This saves time and provides peace of mind.

For further reading that will help you stay compliant and successful as a remote seller, check out our Business Guide to Sales Tax in Florida. Quaderno can help simplify the sales tax returns process by generating tax reports that provide all the necessary data to accurately fill out your forms.

Sales tax filing in other states

• Arizona Sales Tax Filing Guide
• California Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Colorado Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Georgia Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Illinois Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Massachusetts Sales Tax Filing Guide
• New Jersey Sales Tax Filing Guide
• New York Sales Tax Filing Guide
• North Carolina Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Pennsylvania Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Texas Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Virginia Sales Tax Filing Guide
• Washington Sales Tax Filing Guide