Florida Sales Tax & Flight Training

Florida's sales tax laws around flight training and aircraft rentals can be confusing. We've broken down every scenario so you always know what to expect on your bill.

Florida State Sales Tax Rate: 6.5%

For every $100.00 spent, $6.50 in tax is added to your bill. This is a Florida State law.

Why Does This Matter?

Under Florida law, not all aviation-related spending is treated equally for sales tax purposes. Flight instruction provided by a certified instructor is generally tax exempt, because it qualifies as an educational service. However, solo aircraft rentals for personal use or general time building are typically taxable.

The table below covers the most common scenarios our students encounter. If you have a question about a situation not listed here, contact us and we'll be happy to clarify.

Tax Scenarios at a Glance

Use this reference table to understand how sales tax applies to your specific situation.

Dual Received
Flight Training with an EB Flight Instructor
Exempt

Receiving flight instruction for a certificate, rating, endorsement, flight review, IPC, currency, or 709 training.

Dual Received
Airplane Rental Checkout with an EB Flight Instructor
Exempt

Receiving a rental checkout for the purpose of being able to rent an airplane.

Solo
Airplane Rental
Taxable

Pleasure flying, sightseeing, aerial photography, or practicing maneuvers.

Solo
Airplane Rental for Personal Currency
Taxable

Performing takeoffs and landings to remain current to carry passengers.

Solo
Airplane Rental for Overall Time Building
Taxable

Building multi-engine time to meet the hiring requirements of an airline.

Solo
Airplane Rental for FAA Requirement Time Building
Exempt

Building total time toward the 250 hours required for a commercial pilot certificate, while receiving training at EB Flight Training for that certificate/rating.

Tax exempt only when you are receiving your training at EB Flight Training for the certificate or rating you are building time toward.
Solo
Airplane Rental for FAA Requirement Time Building
Taxable

Building total time toward the 250 hours required for a commercial pilot certificate, while receiving training at another flight school for that certificate/rating.

Taxable because your training for the certificate or rating is being conducted at a different flight school.

Florida State Sales Tax Rate

Tax Rate
6.5%

Florida State law

Per $100 Spent
$6.50

added to your bill

Per $285 Dual Hour
$0

when receiving instruction

Quick Summary

  • Flight instruction with a CFI is tax exempt — this includes certificates, ratings, endorsements, flight reviews, IPCs, and currency training.
  • FAA requirement time building is tax exempt — as long as you're training with us for the certificate you're building time toward.
  • Solo rentals for personal use, pleasure flying, or currency are taxable — the 6.5% Florida sales tax applies to the aircraft rental rate.
  • Time building for a certificate you train for elsewhere is taxable — you must be receiving instruction at EB Flight Training for the exemption to apply.

Still Have Questions About Your Bill?

Our team is happy to walk you through exactly what is and isn't taxable for your specific training situation before you fly.