Grocery Taxes in Miami 2026: What Florida Families Need to Know

Florida’s 2025–26 tax package is introducing several important fiscal changes that will affect households, businesses, and consumers across the state, including grocery shoppers in Miami.

While much of the conversation around this year’s tax legislation has centered on commercial rent tax cuts and sales tax holidays, the implications for everyday expenses like food and essentials are equally important for families planning their 2026 budgets.

This blog breaks down what Miami residents can expect regarding grocery-related taxes in 2026, how Florida’s broader tax structure influences these costs, and how families can prepare ahead with smart financial and tax strategies.

1. Florida’s 2025–26 Tax Package: An Overview

Each year, Florida lawmakers pass a comprehensive bill known as the “tax package.” The FY 2025–26 version (House Bill 7031) includes roughly $1.29 billion in total tax cuts, primarily benefiting commercial properties and specific consumer tax holidays.

About $1.25 billion of those cuts are permanent, with an additional $35 million set aside for one-time exemptions. While these decisions reduce tax obligations for certain businesses and categories, they also shift the state’s reliance on sales and consumption taxes, which impacts households more directly, including those buying groceries in Miami.

2. Are Groceries in Miami Taxed in 2026?

The good news is that most essential groceries in Florida remain sales tax-exempt, and that’s not changing in 2026.
This means basic food items like:

• Bread, milk, fruits, vegetables, and meat
• Baby formula and non-prepared staples
• Water and unflavored beverages

will continue to be tax-free.

However, there are still some taxable grocery items that can affect your total checkout amount. These include:

• Prepared foods or hot meals sold in grocery stores or delis
• Snack foods and soft drinks
• Candy, certain beverages, and convenience-store items

Florida’s state sales tax rate remains 6%, and Miami-Dade County applies a local surtax of about 1%, bringing the total to approximately 7% for taxable grocery items.

So, while most essential groceries are exempt, families may still notice slight increases in total grocery spending due to taxable categories and local surtaxes.

3. Why Sales Taxes Matter in Florida’s Budget

Florida does not collect a personal income tax, meaning the state relies heavily on sales tax revenue to fund public services. In fact, about 75% of all general revenue comes from sales or consumption taxes.

According to the state’s most recent financial outlook, for every $1 collected in sales tax:

• 66 cents come from households
• 18 cents come from businesses
• 16 cents come from tourists

This creates a regressive tax structure, where lower- and middle-income families pay a higher share of their income toward sales taxes than wealthier households. When grocery-related costs increase — even slightly — the impact is felt most by working families already managing tight budgets in Miami’s higher-cost environment.

4. Sales Tax Holidays: What Helps and What Doesn’t

One of the highlights of Florida’s 2025–26 tax plan is the continuation and expansion of sales tax holidays, periods when certain items are temporarily exempt from sales tax.

Key 2026 sales tax holidays include:

• Back-to-School Tax Holiday: A permanent event every August, exempting select school supplies, clothing, and technology.
• Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday: Permanent exemptions on batteries, flashlights, and certain emergency supplies.
• New “Hunting, Fishing, and Camping” Holiday: Running from September 8 through December 31, 2025, covering outdoor and recreational goods.

While these tax holidays provide limited relief for specific purchases, they do not include groceries. This means Miami families will continue paying standard sales taxes on taxable grocery items throughout 2026.

5. What the New Tax Package Means for Miami Families

Although most grocery staples remain tax-free, the broader structure of Florida’s 2026 tax package has several implications for Miami residents:

1. More burden on consumers: With Florida’s tax system depending on household spending, residents indirectly absorb the costs of broader business tax cuts.
2. No new grocery exemptions: The Legislature did not add permanent grocery-related tax relief in the new package.
3. Indirect effects on local prices: When state and local tax policies shift, some businesses may adjust pricing or service fees, indirectly influencing grocery costs.
4. Limited offset for low-income families: The package lacks targeted tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC), which could help balance regressive sales taxes.

In short, the average Miami grocery shopper won’t face major new taxes in 2026, but subtle increases from local surtaxes and inflation-linked pricing could make budgets feel tighter.

6. How to Prepare for 2026: Smart Tax and Budgeting Tips

A few simple steps can help Miami residents protect their finances as the new tax year approaches:

✅ Track tax-exempt purchases: Keep a list of grocery items exempt from sales tax to better plan your shopping trips.
✅ Take advantage of sales tax holidays: Even though groceries aren’t included, stock up on other essentials during these periods.
✅ Explore tax relief programs: Families struggling with tax debt or high expenses can explore IRS relief options or state-specific solutions.
✅ Use HSA or FSA accounts wisely: Health-related purchases made with these accounts can reduce taxable income.
✅ Consult a tax professional: If you’re unsure how Florida’s new tax structure affects you, expert guidance can help identify savings opportunities.

7. The Bottom Line: Stay Informed, Stay Prepared

For most Miami households, grocery shopping in 2026 will look similar to today, with essential food items remaining tax-free and snacks, prepared meals, and beverages continuing to carry local sales tax.

However, the bigger story lies in Florida’s overall tax strategy, which continues to rely heavily on sales taxes while reducing revenue from other sources. This means households will still play a large role in funding public revenue through everyday purchases.

Staying informed about which items are taxed, when to shop for savings, and how to maximize your tax relief opportunities can make a meaningful difference for your household budget.

At Resoly, we help families across the U.S. understand complex tax systems, resolve tax debt, and plan ahead for financial stability. If you’re seeking guidance on managing your taxes or optimizing deductions in 2026, our experts can help you navigate every step.