Free Florida Boat Bill of Sale
Florida's boat tax is famously capped at $18,000 per vessel — Florida's boat tax is capped at $18,000 per vessel. (drop the 'highest cap in the country' comparison — no official multi-state source) — making Florida the go-to state for luxury boat buyers. Vessels register with FLHSMV through county Tax Collector offices (not a separate marine agency like Texas), using HSMV 82040 VS (Application for Certificate of Vessel Title).
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Florida Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6% state sales tax capped at $18,000 per vessel (highest cap in the country for boats). County discretionary surtax (up to 2%; none in a few counties) applies to first $5,000 of sale price.
Exemption: Non-motorized vessels under 16ft exempt. Nonresident buyers from a Florida dealer may be exempt if the boat leaves Florida within 10 days (90 days with a dealer decal for boats of 5 net tons or more). Gifts, inheritances, and transfers between a married couple can be certified as not taxable on HSMV 82040 VS.
Inspection Requirements
No state safety or emissions inspection for Florida vessels. USCG safety equipment requirements apply to operation.
Florida Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify HIN on transom matches title — Hull ID Number is a 12-character code etched on the starboard transom (post-1972 vessels).
- Complete bill of sale with HIN, length, year, make, motor serial, and sale price.
- Trailer separately? A boat trailer with a net weight of 2,000 lbs or more needs its own HSMV 82040 + bill of sale + title transfer; lighter trailers are registered but not titled.
- Seller completes Florida title odometer-style disclosure (not applicable to pure vessels but required for some hybrid vessels).
- Seller files HSMV 82050 Notice of Sale with the county tax collector within 30 days.
- Buyer completes HSMV 82040 VS (vessel title application) and registers the boat at the county Tax Collector within 30 days.
- Buyer pays 6% state tax (capped at $18,000 per vessel) + county surtax (first $5,000) + title & registration fees.
- USCG-documented vessels: federal titling via USCG National Vessel Documentation Center, NOT state title. Florida tax may still apply.
Common Pitfalls
- Going to a marine agency — Florida boats register through the same Tax Collector offices as cars. No separate marine department.
- Buying a $1M+ boat and over-budgeting for tax — the $18,000 cap means tax on a $500,000 boat is the same as a $1.5M boat (both hit the cap).
- Missing separate trailer transfer — boat trailers of 2,000 lbs net weight or more require their own title transfer at the same Tax Collector visit.
- Assuming USCG-documented vessels are exempt from Florida tax — they're federally titled but still owe Florida tax if used in-state.
Pro Tip
Florida boat sales stand out for two reasons: the $18,000 tax cap and the lack of a separate marine agency. Use HSMV 82040 VS at the county Tax Collector, cap your tax at $18,000, and remember to handle the trailer separately.