Florida Sales & Use Tax on Vessels

Buying a yacht in Florida triggers the state’s 6% sales tax, but the good news is there’s a cap — Florida caps the sales tax on boats at $18,000 regardless of the purchase price. That makes Florida one of the most favorable states in the country for buying a vessel. But the rules around when and how that cap applies, and what happens with the Miami-Dade discretionary surtax, need to be handled carefully. If you’re bringing a boat into Florida from another state or country, use tax rules kick in, and there are specific exemptions and credits that can reduce or eliminate what you owe.

We’ve helped yacht owners structure purchases, charter arrangements, and ownership entities to minimize tax exposure while staying fully compliant with Florida law.

Yacht & Marine Tax Services

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  Sales & Use Tax Planning — Structuring vessel purchases to take advantage of Florida’s $18,000 sales tax cap.
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  Charter Income Reporting — Proper tax treatment of income from chartering your vessel, including deductions and depreciation.
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  Ownership Entity Structuring — Setting up LLCs or corporations for vessel ownership to optimize liability and tax treatment.
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  USCG Documentation Compliance — Coordinating tax reporting with Coast Guard documentation and registration requirements.
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  Depreciation & Expense Deductions — Claiming depreciation on charter vessels and deducting maintenance, crew, dockage, and insurance costs.
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  Import & Customs Tax Coordination — Handling duty and tax obligations for vessels purchased or built outside the United States.