Credit card processing and merchant services in Tampa, FL
Hillsborough County's sales tax has changed three times since 2021 and stands at 7.5% today. If nobody has checked your register's rate since early 2025, start there.
Tampa's sales tax rate has moved three times since 2021. Hillsborough County's 1% transportation surtax, collected from January 2019, ended on March 15, 2021, after it was ruled unconstitutional. Then, from January through May 2025, the Department of Revenue told dealers to stop collecting two other county surtaxes, which left a 6.5% rate. Collection restarted on June 1, 2025.
Today the combined rate is 7.5%: Florida's 6% plus half-cent county surtaxes for school capital outlay, indigent care and infrastructure. The infrastructure surtax was due to expire at the end of November 2026, but the county extended it through December 31, 2041, so that half cent stays. If anyone has set your register or online checkout by hand since 2021, check it against the current rate.
Health care is a large part of the city's economy. The 2022 Economic Census counted $9.65 billion in health care and social assistance receipts in Tampa, against $11.4 billion in retail sales. For a medical or dental office with large balances, a card fee can look tempting. Florida's Attorney General says merchants may add a disclosed credit card surcharge, and 3% on a $400 balance is $12. Whether patients will accept it is a judgment call, and our medical and dental page explains how we work with practices.
Clearo prices on interchange-plus with no long-term contract or cancellation fee. Send a recent statement for a free statement review and we'll show you which fees are interchange and which are markup.
Rules that matter in Tampa
Hillsborough County surtax changes
Hillsborough's 1% charter county transportation surtax ran from January 1, 2019, to March 15, 2021, when it ended because it was ruled unconstitutional. From January 1, 2025, dealers temporarily stopped collecting the county's indigent care and infrastructure surtaxes, leaving a 6.5% combined rate, and they resumed collecting both on June 1, 2025.
The county has since extended the infrastructure surtax from November 30, 2026, to December 31, 2041. The combined rate is 7.5%.
Sources: Florida Department of Revenue, History of local sales tax and current rates (updated February 1, 2026, PDF); Florida Department of Revenue, TIP 24A01-15, Hillsborough County surtax collection (November 19, 2024, PDF); Florida Department of Revenue, TIP 25A01-02, Hillsborough County surtaxes resume June 1, 2025 (PDF); Florida Department of Revenue, TIP 25A01-12, Hillsborough County surtax rate update (December 1, 2025, PDF)
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Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in Tampa right now?
7.5% on most taxable sales: Florida's 6% plus three half-cent Hillsborough County surtaxes, for school capital outlay, indigent care and infrastructure. That rate has applied since June 1, 2025. Short-term lodging carries 13.5% with the county's 6% tourist development tax.
Did Hillsborough's sales tax change in 2025?
Yes, twice. From January 1, 2025, the Department of Revenue told dealers to pause the county's indigent care and infrastructure surtaxes, so the combined rate was 6.5%. Both surtaxes came back on June 1, 2025, returning the rate to 7.5%. If you changed your POS by hand in January 2025, make sure it was changed back.
Will Hillsborough's infrastructure surtax expire at the end of 2026?
No. It was set to end on November 30, 2026, but the county extended it to December 31, 2041, according to a Department of Revenue notice issued December 1, 2025. Plan on 7.5% unless the Department announces another change.
Can a Tampa medical or dental practice add a credit card surcharge?
The Florida Attorney General's office says a merchant, including a Tampa practice, may put a disclosed surcharge on credit card purchases. The card network limits still apply: no more than 3% for Visa or 4% for Mastercard, or your cost if lower, nothing on debit or prepaid cards, and notice before payment. Lower processing costs may be the better fix, and a free statement review shows you the numbers.
How much tax goes on a hotel stay in Tampa?
13.5%: Florida's 6%, Hillsborough's 1.5% in surtaxes, and the county's 6% tourist development tax, which has been at that level since August 1, 2019. Hillsborough has administered its tourist development tax locally since January 1, 1992.
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Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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