Calculate Florida Documentary Stamp Tax
| Florida doc stamp tax (0.70%) | — |
| County surtax | — |
| Total documentary stamp tax | — |
| Each party's share (if split) | — |
Seller typically pays state doc stamp. County surtax split varies by contract. Always confirm with your title company.
What Is Florida's Documentary Stamp Tax?
Florida doesn't call it a "transfer tax" — it's officially the documentary stamp tax on deeds, governed by Florida Statute § 201.02. The rate is $0.70 per $100 of consideration (or 0.70%). On a $400,000 home, that's $2,800 owed at closing — paid by the seller in most transactions.
Florida also has a separate documentary stamp tax on mortgages ($0.35 per $100 of the new loan), which is the buyer's responsibility. That's a different tax — this guide covers the deed transfer tax only.
Florida County Surtax Rates (2025)
| County | State Doc Stamp | County Surtax | Combined Rate | Est. Tax on $350K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 0.70% | 0.60% | 1.30% | $4,550 |
| Orange (Orlando) | 0.70% | 0.45% | 1.15% | $4,025 |
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | 0.70% | 0.45% | 1.15% | $4,025 |
| Palm Beach | 0.70% | 0.45% | 1.15% | $4,025 |
| Duval (Jacksonville) | 0.70% | 0.45% | 1.15% | $4,025 |
| Broward (Fort Lauderdale) | 0.70% | 0.45% | 1.15% | $4,025 |
| Escambia / Santa Rosa | 0.70% | None | 0.70% | $2,450 |
Who Pays Florida's Transfer Tax?
Florida law places the doc stamp tax obligation on the seller by default. However, in practice, purchase contracts can negotiate who covers what. The county surtax is sometimes split between buyer and seller — especially in strong buyer's markets or investor transactions.
One important note: the state doc stamp on the mortgage note ($0.35/$100 of the loan amount) is paid by the buyer, not the seller. Cash buyers skip this entirely.
Common Florida Transfer Tax Exemptions
Not every Florida deed transfer triggers doc stamp. Key exemptions include transfers between spouses, transfers to a trust where the grantor is a beneficiary, deed corrections with no consideration, and transfers resulting from probate or court orders. The Florida Department of Revenue maintains the full exemption list — your title company handles the paperwork.
Compare Florida to All 50 States
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Yes — Florida calls it the "documentary stamp tax on deeds." The state rate is $0.70 per $100 of sale price (0.70%). Most counties add a surtax, typically $0.45 per $100, bringing the combined rate to 1.15% in most of the state (1.30% in Miami-Dade).
Multiply the sale price by the applicable rate. Example: $350,000 × 1.15% (state + county for most counties) = $4,025. Miami-Dade uses 1.30%: $350,000 × 1.30% = $4,550. The tax is calculated on the full consideration, not the mortgage amount.
The seller pays the state doc stamp tax on the deed by default under Florida law. The buyer separately pays doc stamps on the mortgage note at $0.35 per $100 of the loan amount. Cash buyers avoid the mortgage doc stamp entirely.
Yes — it's Florida's version of what other states call a real estate transfer tax, deed tax, or conveyance tax. The name "documentary stamp" is a legacy term from when physical stamps were affixed to deed documents. The mechanics and purpose are identical to transfer taxes in other states.
Florida does not have a first-time homebuyer exemption from the doc stamp tax. However, buyers are not responsible for the deed doc stamp (only the mortgage doc stamp). If you're buying in cash, you avoid the mortgage tax entirely. Some transfers to family trusts or between relatives may qualify for reduced rates.
The Florida state doc stamp rate remains $0.70 per $100 of sale price for 2025 — unchanged from prior years. Most county surtaxes remain at $0.45 per $100, except Miami-Dade at $0.60 per $100. These rates have been stable for several years.