Filing your Florida sales tax return is simple with the state’s online system. You can file and pay directly through the Florida Department of Revenue’s eServices portal, as long as your business is registered to collect and remit sales tax.
This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of filing online so you can submit returns on time, avoid penalties, and stay compliant with Florida’s sales tax rules.
What You Need Before Filing
Before filing your sales tax return, you must prepare specific records to ensure your report is accurate. Here are the standard documents required to file a sales tax return in Florida:
- Florida Taxpayer Account Number (Sales Tax Permit) – You’re required to provide your Florida sales and use tax account number to file your sales tax return. This is your official business tax number assigned by the Department of Revenue. Once your registration with the Florida Department of Revenue is approved, you should receive this documentation via mail. This number can be found on your Florida Sales Tax Permit document.
- FDOR eServices Account Log-in Details – The primary way to file your Florida sales tax return online is by logging onto your Florida Department of Revenue account. To access the site, ensure you have your log-in credentials ready (e.g., your username and password).
- Total Sales – Gather your total revenue during the filing period. This includes all sales, whether they’re taxable or not. Even if you currently have no sales records, you’re still required to file a return.
- Taxable Sales – Compile the total taxable sales your business made within the filing period.
- Taxable Purchases – Verify the total amount of taxable purchases your business spent within the filing period. This applies to both in-state and out-of-state transactions.
- Local Sales Tax Report – Florida requires businesses to file a local sales tax report as well. This means you must list all your sales in each city, county, or other local jurisdiction in Florida. This is officially known as a “discretionary sales surtax“ and is based on the county where the sale is delivered.
- Bank Account and Routing Number – Select which bank account you want to use for paying the due taxes in your report. Prepare your bank details and routing number ahead of time.
- Filing Frequency Schedule – The state assigns a specific due date for every registered business. To find out your designated schedule, you can check your Florida Sales Tax Permit document.
Step-by-Step: How to File Florida Sales Tax Online
The online filing process is a logical progression of data entry and verification. While the exact screen layouts may evolve with the new eServices platform, the core workflow remains constant. Step 1. Go to the State of Florida Department of Revenue – Sales and Use Tax Application website. Step 2. Enter your Account Credentials: Log in using your username and password. Check your shared email/phone number and input OTP, when applicable. Step 3. Collect your Ecommerce Sales Tax Data (e.g., Taxes Report from Shopify). Step 4. On the dashboard, click “Sales and Use Tax.”
Step 5. Under Choose Activity, click DR-15 (Sales and Use Return).
Step 6. Check if the Certificate Number and Collection Period match the appropriate return to file. Fill out the signature information of the tax return preparer.
Step 7. On the tax return form, enter the required fields using data from the Ecommerce Sales Tax Report. Click Next on the bottom right.
Step 8. Review the data to ensure it matches the Ecommerce Sales Tax Report. At the bottom of the page, click Enter Payment.
Step 9. Enter payment account information and other required details.
Step 10. Authorize the submission and payment by entering contact information. Select Next.
Step 11. Review the final return information. Click Submit.
Step 12. Keep a copy of the return and/or payment confirmation for your records. This serves as proof of successful submission.
Step 13. Store the confirmation securely in your Google Drive using the standard naming format:
[Client Name] – [State] – Sales Tax Return Confirmation – [Period]
Helpful tip: If the filing process is interrupted by internet issues, website downtime, or other disruptions. You can always click on “Save and Submit Later” to avoid losing your progress.
Due Dates
Returns and payments are due on the 1st and are late after the 20th day of the month following each reporting period. If the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a state or federal holiday, the return is timely if postmarked or hand-delivered on the first business day following the 20th.
| FREQUENCY | REQUIREMENT | REPORTING PERIOD | DUE DATE |
| Monthly | Annual sales tax collections are more than $1,000 | Monthly | The 1st of the month following the reporting period |
| Quarterly | Annual sales tax collections are between $501 and $1,000 |
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| Semiannual | Annual sales tax collections are between $101 and $500 |
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| Annual | Mandatory if collections are $100 or less per year. | January 1 – December 31 | January 1 |
Timely Filing Discount
Some states offer businesses a discount for the timely collection, filing, and remittance of sales tax. In Florida, a discount is allowed on timely reported sales tax if you file your sales and use tax return online and also pay on time. The collection allowance is a discount of 2.5% on the first $1,200 of tax due, with a maximum deduction of $30 per reporting period. This discount is a key incentive for electronic filing, as it is exclusively available to taxpayers who file and pay electronically and on time.Filing Amended Returns
If an original sales tax return was filed incorrectly, a new amended replacement return must be submitted to correct the error. You can quickly amend your return online through the Florida Department of Revenue’s website and pay any taxes due. If filing by mail, download a blank return, mark it “Amended replacement,” and provide corrected details. An amended return may result in an underpayment or an overpayment. If additional tax is owed, that amount must be paid with the amended return. If a business overpaid, the DOR will issue a credit for the overpaid amount.Refunds
For an individual or business that has made an overpayment directly to the Florida Department of Revenue, a refund can be requested by filing an Application for Refund — Sales and Use Tax (Form DR-26S). For sales tax dealers, the process for an overpayment is different. The dealer must first refund the customer the overpaid tax. The dealer can then claim a credit on a subsequent sales tax return by documenting the overpayment and entering the amount as a “lawful deduction” on their return.Filing Zero Returns in Florida
Florida law is unequivocal: a sales tax return must be filed for every reporting period, even if the business had no taxable sales, collected no tax, or had no activity during that specific period. Failure to file a zero return can still result in a minimum penalty. The process for filing a zero return online is identical to filing a return with tax due, utilizing the Florida Department of Revenue’s eServices portal and Form DR-15. You will simply enter “0” (zero) in all relevant fields for gross sales, taxable amount, and tax due, ensuring the return accurately reflects no activity or tax collected. For added convenience, if a business has no tax due and is not claiming any deductions or credits, it has the option to use the Department’s toll-free Telefile system at 1-800-550-6713.Other Filing Methods in Florida
If you’re having difficulties filing your Florida sales tax return online, you can try other options.- File with TaxHero – Let expert accountants in TaxHero prepare your sales tax returns for you. We’ll take everything off your hands so that you can spend your time more efficiently managing your business.
- File by mail – Complete a paper return (Form DR-15) and mail it to the Florida Department of Revenue with a check or money order.