PDF document
- 1 -

Enlarge image
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       DR-15N
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       R. 01/24
                     Instructions for                                                                                                                                                                                  Rule 12A-1.097, F.A.C.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Effective 01/24
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Page 1 of 8

                DR-15
                Sales and Use Tax Returns

                                                                                            DOR credit memos and estimated tax (Line 8) 
Lawful deductions (Line 6) cannot                                                           cannot be more than net tax due (Line 7).
be more than tax due (Line 5).

Certificate Number:                           Sales and     Use ax T   Return               HD/PM Date:            /             /                                                          DR-15 
    Florida                   1. Gross Sales                2. Exempt Sales                 3. Taxable Amount                                                                               4. Tax Due
A. Sales/Services/Electricity                  .                                          .                                                              .                                            .
B. Taxable Purchases          Include use tax on Internet / out-of-state untaxed purchases                                                               .                                            .
C. Commercial Rentals                          .                                          .                                                              .                                            .
D. Transient Rentals                           .                                          .                                                              .                                            .
E. Food & Beverage Vending                     .                                          .                                                              .                                            .
                              Surtax Rate:              Reporting Period                    5.  Total Amount of Tax Due                                                                               .
                                                                                            6.  Less Lawful Deductions                                                                                .
                                                                                            7.  Net Tax Due                                                                                           .
Be sure to use the correct tax                                                              8.  Less Est Tax Pd / DOR Cr Memo                                                                         .
                                                                                            9.  Plus Est Tax Due Current Month                                                                        .
return for each reporting period.                                                           10. Amount Due                                                                                            .
      FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE                                                         11. Less Collection Allowance                                                                  E-file/E-pay Only
      5050 W TENNESSEE ST                                                                   12. Plus Penalty                                                                                          .
      TALLAHASSEE FL  32399-0120                                                            13. Plus Interest                                                                                         .
                                                                                            14. Amount Due with Return                                                                                .
      Due:
      Late After:

                                              File and pay electronically and on time 
                                              to receive a collection allowance.

                               Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read this return and the facts stated in it are true.
                                                                                                                                                                                            
                     Signature of Taxpayer                         Date                           Signature of Preparer                                                                     Date
     ( ___________ ) _____________________________________                                 ( ___________ ) ______________________________________
                      Telephone Number                                                                             Telephone Number                                                         Be sure to complete Lines 
                                                                                                                                                                                            15(a) through 15(d).

      Discretionary Sales Surtax - Lines 15(a) through 15(d)
   15(a).  Exempt Amount of Items Over $5,000 (included in Column 3)  ...................................................................................15(a).   __________________________
   15(b).  Other Taxable Amounts NOT Subject to Surtax (included in Column 3) ......................................................................15(b).   __________________________
   15(c).  Amounts Subject to Surtax at a Rate Different Than Your County Surtax Rate (included in Column 3) ......................15(c).   __________________________
   15(d). Total Amount of Discretionary Sales Surtax Due    (included in Column 4) ...............................................................15(d).   __________________________
   16.      Hope Scholarship Credits (included in Line 6) ..............................................................................................................               16.   __________________________
   17.      Taxable Sales/Untaxed Purchases or Uses of Electricity (included in Line A) ...............................................................                                17.   __________________________
   18.      Taxable Sales/Untaxed Purchases of Dyed Diesel Fuel (included in Line A) .................................................................                                 18.   __________________________
   19.      Taxable Sales from Amusement Machines (included in Line A)  ...................................................................................                            19.   __________________________
   20.      Rural or Urban High Crime Area Job Tax Credits ............................................................................................................                20.   __________________________
   21.      Other Authorized Credits ..................................................................................................................................................21.   __________________________



- 2 -

Enlarge image
                                                                                                                         DR-15N
            Due Dates, Electronic Filing and Payment, and Other Filing Information                                       R. 01/24
                                                                                                                    Page 2 of 8

Due Dates: Tax returns and payments are due on the 1st and        return will replace any return you previously filed for the 
late after the 20th day of the month following each reporting     same reporting period. It is important that you complete the 
period. If the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a state or    amended return as it should have been originally filed rather 
federal holiday, your tax return must be received electronically, than entering only additional or corrected information.
postmarked, or hand delivered on the first business day 
following the 20th.                                               The quickest way to file an amended return is online. 
                                                                  Visit floridarevenue.com to submit your amended return 
Due Dates for Electronic Payments: To avoid penalty and           electronically and pay any additional tax due or report an 
interest, you must initiate your electronic payment and           overpayment.
receive a confirmation number no later than 5 p.m. ET on 
the business day prior to the 20th. Keep the confirmation         If you choose to file an amended return by mail, you will 
number in your records. For a list of deadlines for initiating    need a blank return from the Department. To download a blank 
electronic payments on time, visit floridarevenue.com/forms,      return, visit floridarevenue.com/forms, select the Sales and 
select the eServices section, and then select the current year    Use Tax section, and then select the return that you need. 
Florida eServices Calendar of Electronic Payment Deadlines        Write your certificate number, reporting period, business 
(Form DR-659).                                                    name, and address on the return. 
                                                                  •  Write “Amended replacement” on the return you use
Due Date Reminders: If you file your paper returns monthly or        (see example below).
quarterly, you can sign up to receive an email every reporting    •  Enter the correct information on the return.
period, reminding you of the due date. Visit 
floridarevenue.com/dor/subscribe. 
No Tax Due? Telefile at 800-550-6713 - You must file a tax 
return for each reporting period, even if no tax is due. You 
can telefile using the toll-free number to conveniently file your 
returns when no tax is due and you are not claiming deductions 
or credits. When you telefile your return instead of mailing it,   Amended replacement
you will receive a confirmation number for your records. If you 
telefile, remember:
•  to have your certificate number handy - it’s printed on 
    your returns; and 
•   do not mail your return to the Department - keep it with
    your confirmation number.                                     Your amended return may result in an overpayment or an 
Electronic Filing and Payment: You can file returns and pay       additional amount due. If you overpaid the amount due with 
sales and use tax using the Department’s website or you may       your original return or you owe an additional amount, the 
purchase software from a software vendor. You may voluntarily     amount reported on Line 14 of the amended return will not 
file returns and pay tax electronically; however, taxpayers who   match any overpayment or any additional amount due. You 
paid $5,000 or more in sales and use tax during the State of      must pay any additional amount due with the amended return. 
Florida’s prior fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) are required If you have overpaid, a credit for the amount overpaid will be 
to file returns and pay tax electronically during the next        issued. 
calendar year (January through December).                         Checks or Money Orders (NO Cash): Tax payments must 
Enroll to file and pay electronically: Visit                      be in U.S. funds only. Make checks or money orders payable 
floridarevenue.com/taxes/eEnroll to enroll. After you             to the Florida Department of Revenue. Write your certificate 
complete your electronic enrollment, additional information       number on your check or money order. Mail your check or 
about electronic filing will be sent to you.                      money order with your return.
Vendor software: You may purchase software from a software        Keep records that support all transactions for at least 
vendor to file and pay sales and use tax electronically. While    three years from the date you file your return or the date it is 
you may use purchased software to file your sales and use         required to be filed, whichever is later.
tax electronically, you may not use software to create paper      Mailing Your Returns and Payments: If you received window-
(alternative or substitute) returns to file with the Department.  style envelopes from the Department, be sure to place your 
If you use vendor software to prepare a “tax calculation          return in the envelope so the Department’s mailing address can 
worksheet,” do not file the worksheet with the Department as a    be seen in the window of the envelope. If you use a return 
tax return. To ensure proper credit to your account, be sure to   without your business information printed on it, write your 
transfer information from the worksheet to your personalized      business name, address, certificate number, and reporting 
return.                                                           period in the spaces provided. If you do not have a window-
Amended replacement returns: If you discover that your            style return envelope, mail your return and payment to:
original return was incorrect, you must complete an amended               Florida Department of Revenue
return and submit it electronically or by mail. Your amended              5050 W Tennessee St
                                                                          Tallahassee FL 32399-0120 



- 3 -

Enlarge image
          Due Dates, Electronic Filing and Payment, and Other Filing Information continued                                   DR-15N
                                                                                                                             R. 01/24
                                                                                                                       Page 3 of 8
                  Account Changes                                    •  For each tax-exempt customer, use your customer’s Florida 
If you change your business name, mailing address,                   sales tax certificate number to obtain a vendor authorization 
location address within the same county, or close or sell            number.
your business, immediately notify the Department. You can            Sellers may verify a Florida Annual Resale Certificate number 
also notify the Department when you temporarily suspend or           and obtain an authorization number:
resume your business operations. The quickest way to notify the 
Department is by visiting                                            •  Online: Visit floridarevenue.com/taxes/certificates
floridarevenue.com/taxes/updateaccount.                              •  Phone: 877-357-3725
                                                                     •  Mobile app: Available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices
To notify us in writing, mail a letter to:
        Account Management - MS 1-5730                                              Proper Collection of Tax
        Florida Department of Revenue                                Collecting the right amount of tax is important because 
        5050 W Tennessee St                                          mistakes will cost you money. Florida’s general state sales tax 
        Tallahassee, FL 32399-0160                                   rate is 6%. Additionally, most counties also have a local option 
                                                                     discretionary sales surtax. Surtax rates are published in the 
Be sure to include your business partner number and your 
                                                                     Discretionary Sales Surtax Information (Form DR-15DSS) each 
certificate number in any written correspondence sent to the 
Department.                                                                                       floridarevenue.com/forms under 
                                                                     year and available online at 
                                                                     the Discretionary Sales Surtax and Tourist Development Tax 
If you cancel your account or sell your business, you must file      Rates section.
a final return and pay all applicable taxes due within 15            [State Sales and Use Tax Rate] + [Surtax Rate] = [Total Tax Rate]
days after closing or selling the business. Your final return 
must cover the period from your most recent return filing to the     Dealers must calculate the total tax due on each sale. The 
closing date.                                                        tax must be shown separately on each invoice and may be 
                                                                     calculated on either the combined taxable amount or the 
If you have previously submitted a Florida Business Tax              individual taxable amounts on an invoice.
Application (Form DR-1) and you have an active Certificate 
of Registration or reemployment tax account issued by the            Dealers must calculate the total tax due by multiplying the 
Department, you can use the online or paper Application for          taxable sale by the total tax rate to determine the amount of tax 
                                                                     due.
Registered Businesses to Add a New Florida Location
(Form DR-1A) to:                                                         [Sale Amount] x [Total Tax Rate] = [Tax Due on Sale]
•  register additional business locations or rental properties in    The tax computation must be carried to the third decimal place 
   Florida, or                                                       and rounded up to the next whole cent when the third decimal 
•  reregister a business location that has moved to a different      place is greater than 4.
   county;
However, you must submit, either online or paper, a new              Example: A customer purchases one taxable item and takes 
Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1) if you:                 delivery in a county that does not impose a discretionary sales 
                                                                     surtax. The dealer’s taxable selling price for the item is $50.45. 
•  change your legal entity; or
                                                                     To calculate the tax due, multiply the taxable selling price by 
•  change the ownership of your business.
                                                                     the tax rate of 6% and carry to the third decimal place. 
          Florida Annual Resale Certificate                                             $50.45 x 6% (or .06) = $3.02  7
Registered sales and use tax dealers are provided a Florida          Since the third decimal place is greater than 4, the tax due 
Annual Resale Certificate to make tax-exempt purchases or            must be rounded up to the next whole cent. The total tax due 
rentals of property or services for resale. You may provide a        on the sale is $3.03.
paper or electronic copy of your current Florida Annual Resale 
Certificate or the certificate number to any seller when making 
purchases or rentals of property or services that you intend to                 Line-by-Line Instructions
resell or re-rent as part of your business. If you purchase or rent 
property or services that will be used in your business, your                Line A. Sales/Services/Electricity
Florida Annual Resale Certificate should not be used.                Line A is used to report the total of all wholesale and retail 
                                                                     sales transactions and certain untaxed purchases or uses as 
As a dealer, you have an obligation to collect the applicable        follows:
amount of sales and use tax and discretionary sales surtax           •  Sales, leases, or licenses to use certain property or
when you resell or re-rent the property or service at retail. If you     goods (tangible personal property). 
need help determining what you may buy or rent tax exempt            •  Sales and rentals, admissions, amusement machine 
for resale, the Florida Annual Resale Certificate for Sales Tax      receipts, and vending machine receipts (except food and 
brochure (Form GT-800060) is available at                            beverage sales reported on Line E). The amount of taxable 
floridarevenue.com/forms in the Sales and Use Tax section.           sales from amusement machines are also separately 
Sellers who make tax-exempt sales or rentals for purposes of         reported on Line 19.
resale or re-rental must document the exemption using any one        •  Sales of services including nonresidential interior pest 
of these methods:                                                    control, nonresidential interior janitorial and cleaning 
•  Obtain a paper or electronic copy of your customer’s current      services, residential and nonresidential burglar and other 
Florida Annual Resale Certificate.                                   protection services, and detective services.
•  For each tax-exempt sale, use your customer’s Florida sales       •  Sales and untaxed purchases or uses of electricity taxed at 
tax certificate number to obtain a transaction authorization         the rate of 6.95% (2.6% imposed under Chapter 203, Florida 
number.                                                              Statutes [F.S.], and 4.35% imposed under Chapter 212, F.S.), 



- 4 -

Enlarge image
                                                                                                                        DR-15N
                                               Line-by-Line Instructions continued                                      R. 01/24
                                                                                                                  Page 4 of 8
plus surtax. You must also report this amount on                   •  If you operate amusement machines, include receipts in
    Line 17.                                                          Line A and also complete Line 19.
•  Sales and untaxed purchases of dyed diesel fuel used in 
vessels or off-road equipment taxed at the rate of 6% sales         Sales/Surtax       Amusement                  Other Vended Items
tax, plus surtax. You must also report this amount on                      Rate             Divisor                     Divisor
    Line 18.                                                            6.0%            1.040                           1.0659
NOTE: Registered Florida motor vehicle dealers may use the              6.5%            1.045                           1.0707
method described in Sales and Use Tax on Motor Vehicles                 7.0%            1.050                           1.0749
                                                                        7.5%            1.055                           1.0791
(Brochure GT-800030) to report tax on sales of motor vehicles 
                                                                        8.0%            1.060                           1.0833
to out-of-state residents.                                              8.5%            1.065                           1.0875
Column 1. Gross Sales     -  Enter the total amount of gross 
sales. Do not include:                                             Example: The total receipts from an amusement 
•  tax collected;                                                  machine(s) in a county with a combined sales and surtax 
•  fuel sales reported on a Florida fuel tax return; or            rate of 6.5% total $100.00. Total receipts divided by the 
•  lottery ticket sales.                                           amusement machine divisor for the 6.5% rate equals 
                                                                   gross sales. Total receipts minus gross sales equals tax 
Column 2. Exempt Sales       - Enter the total amount of tax-      due, including discretionary sales surtax due. Gross sales 
exempt sales included in Line A, Column 1. Enter “0” if none.      multiplied by the surtax rate equals discretionary sales 
Some examples of tax-exempt sales are sales for resale, sales      surtax due.
of items specifically exempt, and sales to organizations that 
hold a Florida Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption                 $100 ÷ 1.045 = $95.69 (gross sales)
(Form DR-14).                                                      $100 - $95.69 = $4.31 (tax due, including surtax due)
                                                                   $95.69 x .005 = $.48 [surtax portion to be reported on Line 
Column 3. Taxable Amount        - Subtract   total exempt sales    15(d)]
from gross sales and enter the taxable amount. You must also 
report the total amount of sales that are subject to sales tax but      Line B. Taxable Purchases - Use Tax
are exempt from discretionary sales surtax, on Line 15(a) or       You owe “use tax” on taxable purchases of goods or 
Line 15(b). You must report on Line 15(c), the total amount of     services you have used or consumed that were:
sales for which you collected discretionary sales surtax at a rate Internet and out-of-state purchases not taxed by the 
different than the rate of the county in which you are located.      seller and NOT purchased for resale.
                                                                   •  Out-of-state or local purchases not taxed by a supplier 
In addition to reporting the Taxable Amount on the front of your     and NOT purchased for resale whether ordered online, 
return, remember to complete the back of the return for the          from a catalog, or by telephone.
following:                                                         •  Taxable items, originally purchased untaxed for resale, 
•  Taxable sales and untaxed purchases or uses of electricity        which you, your business, or employees used or 
on Line 17.                                                          consumed.
•  Taxable sales and untaxed purchases of dyed diesel fuel 
used in vessels or off-road equipment on Line 18.                  Include use tax and discretionary sales surtax on the return 
•  Taxable sales from amusement machines on Line 19.               for the reporting period during which you purchased, used, 
                                                                   or consumed the item(s).
Column 4. Tax Due - Enter the total amount of tax due, 
including discretionary sales surtax due. You must also report     Column 1. Gross Sales - Not Applicable
the total amount of discretionary sales surtax due on
Line 15(d).                                                        Column 2. Exempt Sales - Not Applicable
                                                                   Column 3. Taxable Amount - Enter the total amount 
Amusement and Vending Machine Sales
                                                                   of purchases used or consumed that were not taxed by 
You must be registered in each county where you operate 
                                                                   suppliers and were not for resale. 
vending or amusement machines. For each county in which                                               If you report purchases 
you operate machines, you must report the gross sales and          exempt from discretionary sales surtax, also complete 
the tax due from amusement machines and from vending               Line 15(a) or Line 15(b).
machines dispensing items other than food and beverages.           Column 4. Tax Due - Enter the total amount of use tax 
Use the gross receipts from each type of machine that you          due, including discretionary sales surtax due.
operate and the tax rate divisor for the county where the          You must also report all discretionary sales surtax 
machine is located to compute the amount of gross sales and          due on Line 15(d).
tax due.                                                           If you paid sales tax to another state at a rate less 
Total machine receipts ÷ Tax Rate Divisor = Gross Sales.             than 6%, enter the total amount of Florida use tax, plus 
                                                                     any applicable discretionary sales surtax on Line B, 
Total machine receipts - Gross Sales = Tax Due, including            Column 4, and claim a credit for the tax paid to the other 
discretionary sales surtax.                                          state on Line 6. When claiming a credit for sales tax paid 
                                                                     to another state, make sure it is legally imposed. When 
Gross Sales x Surtax Rate = Discretionary Sales Surtax due.          in doubt, contact the tax agency in the state where the 
•  If you operate vending machines containing food or beverage       tax was paid.
items, complete Line E.



- 5 -

Enlarge image
                                                                                                                          DR-15N
                                  Line-by-Line Instructions continued                                              R. 01/24
                                                                                                                   Page 5 of 8

Line C. Commercial Rentals                                       to determine whether your county imposes one of these 
(4.5% Plus County Surtax Rate)                                   taxes and if you are required to report and pay the taxes 
Commercial rentals include the renting, leasing, letting, or     directly to your county taxing agency or to the Department 
granting a license to use or occupy real property. Sales tax     of Revenue.
at the rate of 4.5%, plus discretionary sales surtax, is due 
on the total consideration charged for commercial property.      Form DR-15TDT (Local Option Transient Rental Tax 
The consideration charged may include charges for property       Rates [Tourist Development Tax Rates]) is available at 
taxes (whether paid to the landlord or directly to the county    floridarevenue.com/forms in the Sales and Use Tax section. 
tax collector’s office), or common area maintenance. Rentals,    It provides a listing of county local option transient rental rates 
leases, and licenses to use or occupy real property by related   and whether the local option tax is collected by the county or by 
persons are also considered commercial rentals (e.g., a          the Department of Revenue. 
corporate owner leases property to his or her corporation).      Column 1. Gross Sales - Enter the total gross amounts (rental 
The $5,000 limitation for discretionary sales surtax does        charges) charged for transient rentals only. Do not include tax 
not apply to commercial rentals.                                 collected in gross sales.
Column 1. Gross Sales - Enter the total amount of                Column 2. Exempt Sales - Enter the total amount of tax-
consideration for commercial rentals. Do not include tax 
                                                                 exempt transient rentals included in Line D, Column 1. Enter 
collected in the amount reported. 
                                                                 “0” if none.
Column 2. Exempt Sales - Enter the total amount of               Column 3. Taxable Amount - Subtract total exempt transient 
consideration for tax-exempt commercial rentals included in      rentals (Column 2) from total gross transient rentals (Column 1) 
Line C, Column 1. Enter “0” if none. See section 212.031, F.S.,  and enter the difference (the taxable amount).
and Rule 12A-1.070, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), for 
exemptions specifically available to commercial rentals.         Column 4. Tax Due - Enter the total amount of tax due, 
                                                                 including any discretionary sales surtax due and any local option 
Column 3. Taxable Amount - Subtract the amount reported in       tax (for example, tourist development tax) administered by the 
Column 2 from the amount reported in Column 1 and enter the      Department of Revenue. You must also report all discretionary 
difference (the taxable amount).                                 sales surtax due on Line 15(d). The $5,000 limitation for 
Column 4. Tax Due - Enter the total amount of tax due,           discretionary sales surtax does not apply to transient rentals.
including discretionary sales surtax due. You must also report 
all discretionary sales surtax due on Line 15(d).                     Line E. Food & Beverage Vending
                                                                 If you operate food and beverage vending machines, compute 
                                                                 your gross sales by dividing the total receipts from the 
Line C(a). Less Sales Tax Scholarship Credits
                                                                 machine(s) by the appropriate food and beverage divisor for 
E-file/E-pay Only
Report the amount of any state tax credit authorized by the      the county where the machine(s) is located. 
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program for Commercial Rental     Column 1. Gross Sales - Enter the total amount of gross sales 
Property and taken by your tenant(s) against the total sales tax computed from food and beverage vending machines receipts. 
and surtax due on commercial rentals. The amount of sales        Do not include tax collected in gross sales.
tax credit reported may not exceed the state sales tax due 
and reported in the amount on Line C, Column 4 (Commercial       Column 2. Exempt Sales - Enter the total amount of tax-
Rentals Tax Due). This credit is not available for any           exempt sales included in Line E, Column 1. Enter “0” if none.
discretionary sales surtax due on commercial rentals. For more 
information on the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program for    Column 3. Taxable Amount - Subtract total exempt sales from 
Commercial Rental Property, visit                                total gross sales and enter the taxable amount.
floridarevenue.com/taxes/sfo.
                                                                 Column 4. Tax Due - Enter the total amount of tax due, 
                                                                 including discretionary sales surtax due. You must also report 
Line D. Transient Rentals
Transient rentals are leases or rentals of living, sleeping, or  all discretionary sales surtax due on Line 15(d).
housekeeping accommodations, such as hotels, motels,
single-family dwellings, multi-unit dwellings, apartments,       Sales/Surtax Rate          Food and Beverage Divisor
rooming houses, condominiums, timeshare resorts, vacation 
                                                                             6.0%                            1.0645
houses, beach houses, mobile homes, or any other living, 
sleeping, or housekeeping accommodations. Transient                          6.5%                            1.0686
rental taxes must be collected and paid on all rental charges,               7.0%                            1.0726
including any rental charges that are required to be paid by the             7.5%                            1.0767
guest as a condition of the use of the accommodation, unless                 8.0%                            1.0808
the rental charge is specifically exempt. See Rule 12A-1.061,                8.5%                            1.0849
F.A.C., for more information on what constitutes a “rental 
charge” and which rental charges are specifically exempt.
                                                                 Example: The total receipts from a soft drink machine in a 
Some counties impose one or more local option taxes              county with a combined sales and surtax rate of 6.5% total 
on transient rentals. Many counties self-administer these        $100. Total receipts divided by the food and beverage divisor 
local option taxes. Contact your county taxing agency            for the 6.5% rate equals gross sales. Total receipts minus 



- 6 -

Enlarge image
                                        Line-by-Line Instructions continued                                                 DR-15N
                                                                                                                            R. 01/24
                                                                                                                            Page 6 of 8
gross sales equals tax due, including discretionary sales             required to use only one method and may choose to use any 
surtax due. Gross sales multiplied by the surtax rate equals          one of these methods throughout the year.
discretionary sales surtax due.
                                                                      Three Methods for Computing Estimated Tax
$100 ÷ 1.0686 = $93.58 (gross sales)                                  The percentage for calculating estimated tax is 60%. Your 
$100 - $93.58 = $6.42 (tax due, including surtax due)                 estimated tax liability is based only on Florida sales and use 
$93.58 x .005 = $.47 [surtax portion to be reported on Line 15(d)]    tax due (Form DR-15, Line 7, Net Tax Due minus any local 
                                                                      option discretionary sales surtax and any local option transient 
 Line 5. Total Amount of Tax Due                                      rental tax). Compute your estimated tax liability by one of the 
Add the amounts in Column 4, Lines A, B, C, D, and E.                 following methods: 
Subtract the amount on Line C(a), Column 4, from the total and 
                                                                      Method 1 – Average Tax Liability 
enter the result on Line 5.
                                                                      Calculate 60% of your average state sales tax due for the months 
 Line 6. Less Lawful Deductions                                       you reported taxable transactions during the calendar year.
Enter the total amount of all allowable tax deductions, except 
sales tax credit memos issued by the Department (reported             Example: When completing your December return (due 
                                                                      January 1 of the following year), calculate your average state 
on Line 8). Lawful deductions include tax refunded by you to 
                                                                      sales tax due during the calendar year. To calculate your average 
your customers for returned goods or allowances for damaged 
                                                                      state sales tax due, complete the following steps:
merchandise, tax paid by you on purchases of goods intended for 
use or consumption but sold by you instead, Hope Scholarship          Step 1.  Review all of your sales tax returns filed for the 
Credits, and any other deductions allowed by law.                     calendar year.
  If you are claiming any approved Hope Scholarship Credits, 
 report the amount of the credits on Line 6 and on Line 16.           Step 2. Add together the amounts on Line 7 from each return. 
  Do not include documentation with your return.                     Subtract any local option discretionary sales surtax and any 
                                                                      local option transient rental tax included in Line 7. 
You will not receive a credit if the amount of lawful deductions 
(Line 6) is greater than the total amount of tax due (Line 5) on your Step 3. To calculate the monthly average state sales tax due, 
return. If the amount of your lawful deductions is more than the      divide the total calculated in Step 2 by the number of returns 
total amount of tax due, reduce the amount of lawful deductions       that were filed with tax due on Line 7. 
claimed to equal the total amount of tax due. You may report the      Step 4. Multiply your monthly average state sales tax due by 
remaining amount of lawful deductions (not to exceed the total        60%. 
amount of tax due) on your next return.
                                                                      Step 5. Enter the result from Step 4 on Line 9 of each return 
                Line 7. Net Tax Due                                   the following year, beginning with your December return due 
Subtract Line 6 from Line 5 and enter the amount on Line 7.           January 1.
            Lines 8 - 9. Estimated Tax                                The amount calculated in Step 4 can be used on each of your 
If you paid $200,000 or more in state sales and use tax on            returns for the following year through the November reporting 
returns you filed during the state of Florida’s prior fiscal year     period.
(July 1 through June 30), you must make an estimated sales 
tax payment every month, starting with the December return,           Method 2 – Current Month/Previous Year
due January 1. Before you file your FINAL return or if you have       Calculate 60% of your state sales tax due for the same month 
questions about estimated tax, call Taxpayer Services.                of the previous calendar year.
Line 8. Less Estimated Tax Paid/Department of                         Example: When completing your December return, multiply the 
Revenue (DOR) Credit Memo                                             amount on Line 7 of your January return for the same calendar 
Enter the total amount of estimated tax you paid last month,          year (minus any local option discretionary sales surtax and any 
the amount of any sales tax credit memo(s) issued by the              local option transient rental tax) by 60%. Enter that amount on 
Department, and the amount of any specifically authorized tax         Line 9.
credits for which you have received a letter of approval from 
the Department. Follow the instructions sent to you by the            Method 3 – Current Month 
Department. 
                                                                      Calculate 60% of the state sales tax due for the next month’s 
You will not receive a credit if the amount of credit (Line 8) is     return.
greater than the net amount of tax due (Line 7). If the amount 
of your credit is greater than the net amount of tax due, reduce      Example: When completing your December return, your 
the amount of credits claimed to equal the net amount of tax          estimated tax due is 60% of what you will report (minus any 
due. You may report the remaining amount of credit (not to            local option discretionary sales surtax and any local option 
exceed the net amount of tax due) on your next return. When           transient rental tax) on your January return. Enter that amount 
you file your FINAL return, complete an Application for Refund        on Line 9.
– Sales and Use Tax (Form DR-26S) to obtain a refund of the           Penalty for Underpayment of Estimated Tax – If you fail 
credit balance.                                                       to report and pay the minimum amount of estimated tax due 
Line 9. Plus Estimated Tax Due Current Month                          each reporting period, you are subject to a loss of collection 
Enter the total amount of estimated tax due, if applicable, using     allowance and a 10% penalty on any underpayment of 
one of the following three computation methods. You are NOT           estimated tax due, and must pay interest on the amount 
                                                                      underpaid.



- 7 -

Enlarge image
                                                                                                                                         DR-15N
                                     Line-by-Line Instructions continued                                                                 R. 01/24
                                                                                                                                     Page 7 of 8
You cannot amend your return to increase your estimated tax              and enter the amount due on Line 14. If you choose to donate 
payment after the due date of the return.                                your collection allowance to education, check the “donate to 
                                                                         education” box and leave Line 11 blank.
                    Line 10. Amount Due
Subtract the amount on Line 8 from Line 7. Add the amount on             All dealers: If your return or payment is late, add Lines 12 and 
Line 9. Enter the result on Line 10. The amount entered on               13 to Line 10 and enter the amount due on Line 14. Line 14 is 
Line 10 cannot be negative.                                              the amount you owe.
             Line 11. Less Collection Allowance                                             Lines 15(a) - 15(d). 
                     E-file/E-pay Only                                               Discretionary Sales Surtax
When you file and pay electronically and on time, you are                If you sell, rent, deliver, or receive taxable merchandise or
entitled to deduct a collection allowance of 2.5% (.025) of the          services in or at a location within a county imposing a 
first $1,200 of the Amount Due (Line 10), not to exceed $30.             discretionary sales surtax, you are required to collect surtax at
                                                                         the rate imposed in the county where the merchandise or 
You are not entitled to a collection allowance if you file your 
                                                                         service is delivered. The discretionary sales surtax also applies 
return or make your payment by a method other than electronic 
                                                                         to the rental of real property and transient rentals and is 
means. More information on filing and paying electronically is 
                                                                         collected at the county rate where the property is located.
available at floridarevenue.com/taxes/eServices. 
                                                                         Most counties impose a local option discretionary sales surtax 
If you are entitled to a collection allowance, you may choose 
                                                                         that must be collected on taxable transactions. You must 
to donate the allowance to the Educational Enhancement Trust 
                                                                         collect discretionary sales surtax along with the 6% state 
Fund. This fund is used to purchase up-to-date technology for  
                                                                         sales tax and send both taxes to the Department. Current 
classrooms in local school districts in Florida. If you are eligible 
                                                                         discretionary sales surtax rates for all counties are listed on Form 
and choose to donate your collection allowance to education, 
                                                                         DR-15DSS, Discretionary Sales Surtax Information, available at 
check the “donate to education” box and leave Line 11 blank. 
The Department will calculate the collection allowance and               floridarevenue.com/forms in the Discretionary Sales Surtax 
                                                                         and Tourist Development Tax Rates section.
transfer that amount to the Educational Enhancement Trust 
Fund. You must make this choice on each original and timely              If your business location is in Florida, the discretionary sales 
filed electronic return. You cannot make this choice after your          surtax rate printed on your tax returns is the rate in effect for 
electronic return is filed.                                              the county where your business is located. If your business 
                                                                         is located outside of Florida, no discretionary sales surtax 
                    Line 12. Plus Penalty                                rate is printed on your returns. However, all dealers must 
For late returns and payments, the penalty is either:
                                                                         collect discretionary sales surtax on taxable sales when the 
•  A minimum of $50 if 10% of Line 10 is less than $50, or
                                                                         transaction occurs in, or delivery is into, a county that imposes 
•  10% of the amount due on Line 10.
                                                                         a surtax. Use the chart below to help you determine when and 
If your return or payment is late, the minimum penalty is $50            at what rate to collect discretionary sales surtax. 
even if you file a late return with no tax due.
                                                                         For motor vehicle and mobile home sales, use the surtax rate of 
                    Line 13. Plus Interest                               the county identified as the residence address of the purchaser 
If your payment is late, you owe interest on the Amount Due              on the registration or title document for the motor vehicle or 
(Line 10). Florida law provides a floating rate of interest for          mobile home. The surtax applies to the first $5,000 of the 
late payments of taxes and fees due, including discretionary             sales amount on any item of tangible personal property. The 
sales surtax. Interest rates, including daily rates, are updated         $5,000 limitation does not apply to rentals of real property, 
semiannually on January 1 and July 1 each year and available             transient rentals, or services.
at floridarevenue.com/taxes/rates.
                                                                         Include discretionary sales surtax with tax reported on 
             Line 14. Amount Due with Return                             Lines A through E in Column 4 of your DR-15 return. Do 
You may receive a collection allowance when you file and                 not send discretionary sales surtax collections to the 
pay electronically and on time. Subtract Line 11 from Line 10            county tax collector’s office. 

   When       and at What Rate to Collect Discretionary Sales Surtax (Local Option County Tax) on Taxable Sales
                                                                                                              surtax   collected at the 
                                                                              into the county where the                is
                            with a discretionary surtax                                                       county rate where the 
                                                                              selling dealer is located
                                                                                                              delivery is made
If a selling dealer located                                        sells and                                  surtax   collectedisat the 
                                                                              into counties 
in any Florida county       with or without a discretionary surtax  delivers                with different    county rate where the 
                                                                              discretionary surtax rates
                                                                                                              delivery is made
                            with or without a discretionary surtax                          without a
                                                                              into counties 
                                                                              discretionary surtax                     is not collected
                                                                                                              surtax 
                                                                                                              surtax   collected at the 
                                                                              into a Florida county with a             is
                                                                                                              county rate where the 
                                                                   sells and   discretionary surtax
If an out-of-state selling dealer                                                                             delivery is made
                                                                    delivers
                                                                              into a Florida county without a 
                                                                              discretionary surtax                     is not collected
                                                                                                              surtax 



- 8 -

Enlarge image
                                                                                                                    DR-15N
                                          Line-by-Line Instructions continued                                       R. 01/24
                                                                                                                    Page 8 of 8
Use the Department’s Address/Jurisdiction database to              Line 18. Taxable Sales/Untaxed Purchases of 
determine which county an address is located in. Visit                                Dyed Diesel Fuel
floridarevenue.com/taxes/pointmatch.                               Enter the total amount of taxable sales and untaxed purchases 
                                                                   of dyed diesel fuel used in vessels or off-road equipment. If the 
    Line 15(a). Exempt Amount of Items                             sale or purchase of dyed diesel fuel occurred in a county that 
                 Over $5,000                                       imposes discretionary sales surtax, sales tax plus the applicable 
Enter the amount in excess of $5,000 on each single sale of        discretionary sales surtax is due.
taxable tangible personal property (reported on Line A) and the 
amount in excess of $5,000 for each single purchase for which 
sales tax and discretionary sales surtax is due (reported on Line     Line 19. Taxable Sales from Amusement 
B). Example: If you sold a single item for $7,000, include $2,000                          Machines
                                                                   Enter the amount of taxable sales from amusement machines.
(the amount over $5,000) on Line 15(a). Do NOT include exempt 
sales reported in Column 2.
                                                                      Line 20. Rural or Urban High Crime Area 
    Line 15(b). Other Taxable Amounts NOT                                             Job Tax Credits
                 Subject to Surtax                                 Enter the amount of rural or urban high crime area job tax 
Enter the amount of taxable sales and purchases included in        credits for which you have received a letter of approval 
Line A, Column 3, that are not subject to discretionary sales      from the Department on Line 20 and on Line 8. Follow the 
surtax. This includes services and tangible personal property      instructions sent to you from the Department.
delivered into a non-surtax county subject to sales tax, but not 
subject to discretionary sales surtax. Do NOT include exempt                Line 21. Other Authorized Credits
sales reported in Line A, Column 2.                                Enter only credits specifically authorized by the Department. 
                                                                   Follow the instructions sent to you from the Department in the 
   Line 15(c). Amounts Subject to Surtax at a                      Credit Memo.
Rate Different Than Your County Surtax Rate
On Line 15(c) you must report the total amount of taxable                                  Signature(s)
sales and purchases for which discretionary sales surtax is        Sign and date your return. For corporations, an authorized 
due at a rate different than the rate of the county in which you   corporate officer must sign. If someone else prepared the 
are located. Enter the taxable amounts from Line A,                return, the preparer must also sign and date the return. Please 
Column 3, and Line B, Column 3, for which discretionary            provide the telephone number of each person signing the return.
sales surtax is due at a rate different than the county in which 
you are located.                                                                           Contact Us
                                                                   Information and tutorials are available at 
Example: A business located in a county with a 1%                  floridarevenue.com/taxes/education.
discretionary sales surtax rate sells a single taxable item for 
$3,000 and delivers the merchandise into a county with a           Forms are available at floridarevenue.com/forms.
1.5% discretionary sales surtax rate. The discretionary sales 
surtax is to be collected at 1.5%. The business will report the 
                                                                   If you have questions, need assistance, or need to replace 
$3,000 on Line 15(c), since this is the taxable amount that 
                                                                   a lost or damaged return or coupon book, call Taxpayer 
was subject to a different county discretionary sales surtax 
rate. The business will report the surtax collected at 1.5% on     Services at 850-488-6800, Monday through Friday, excluding 
Line 15(d).                                                        holidays.

    Line 15(d). Total Amount of Discretionary                      Subscribe to Receive Updates by Email from the 
                                                                   Department. Subscribe to receive an email for filing due date 
                 Sales Surtax Due
Enter the total amount of discretionary sales surtax due on        reminders, Tax Information Publications, or proposed rules. 
Line 15(d). Do not include state sales tax in this amount.         Subscribe today at floridarevenue.com/dor/subscribe.

    Line 16. Hope Scholarship Credits                                                         
Enter the total Hope Scholarship Credits on Line 16 and 
include the total amount of credits in the amount entered on
Line 6. For more information on the Hope Scholarship 
Program, visit floridarevenue.com/taxes/sfo.
                                                                                           References
   Line 17. Taxable Sales/Untaxed Purchases     
                                                                   The following documents were mentioned in this form and are 
                     or Uses of Electricity
                                                                   incorporated by reference in the rules indicated below. The forms 
    (6.95% Plus County Surtax Rate)
Enter the taxable amount of sales and untaxed purchases or         are available online at floridarevenue.com/forms.
uses of electricity subject to the 6.95% tax rate (2.6% imposed         Form DR-15    Sales and Use Tax Return
under Chapter 203, F.S., and 4.35% imposed under Chapter                              Rule 12A-1.097, F.A.C.
212, F.S.), plus surtax. The sale or use of electricity is subject 
to discretionary sales surtax at the rate imposed by the county      Form DR-26S      Application for Refund –
where the consumer of the electricity is located.                                     Sales and Use Tax
                                                                                      Rule 12-26.008, F.A.C.






PDF file checksum: 1992001000

(Plugin #1/10.13/13.0)