Publication 17
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173134taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000273212This chapter discusses which taxes you can deduct if you itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). It also explains which taxes you can deduct on other schedules or forms and which taxes you cannot deduct.
This chapter covers the following topics.
- Income taxes (federal, state, local, and foreign).
- General sales taxes (state and local).
- Real estate taxes (state, local, and foreign).
- Personal property taxes (state and local).
- Taxes and fees you cannot deduct.
Use
Table 22-1 as a guide to determine which taxes you can deduct.
The end of the chapter contains a section that explains which forms you use to deduct different types of taxes.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173138You can deduct certain taxes only if they are ordinary and necessary expenses of your trade or business or of producing income. For information on these taxes, see Publication
535, Business Expenses.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173139These are taxes imposed by the 50 states, U.S. possessions, or any of their political subdivisions (such as a county or city), or by the District of Columbia.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173140An Indian tribal government recognized by the Secretary of the Treasury as performing substantial government functions will be treated as a state for purposes of claiming a deduction for taxes. Income taxes, real estate taxes, and personal property taxes imposed by that Indian tribal government (or by any of its subdivisions that are treated as political subdivisions of a state) are deductible.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000296098These are taxes imposed at one rate on retail sales of a broad range of classes of
items.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173142These are taxes imposed by a foreign country or any of its political subdivisions.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#TXMP27d2f916Useful items
You may want to see:
Publication 514
Foreign Tax Credit for Individuals
530
Tax Information for Homeowners Form (and Instructions) Schedule A (Form 1040) :
Itemized Deductions
Schedule E (Form 1040) :
Supplemental Income and Loss
1116 :
Foreign Tax Credit
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173143The following two tests must be met for you to deduct any tax.
- The tax must be imposed on you.
- You must pay the tax during your tax year.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173144In general, you can deduct only taxes imposed on you.
Generally, you can deduct property taxes only if you are an owner of the property. If your spouse owns the property and pays the real estate taxes, the taxes are deductible on your spouse's separate return or on your joint return.
taxmap/pub17/p17-113.htm#en_us_publink1000173145If you are a cash basis taxpayer, you can deduct only those taxes you actually paid during your tax year. If you pay your taxes by check, the day you mail or deliver the check is the date of payment, provided the check is honored by the financial institution. If you use a pay-by-phone account (such as a credit card or electronic funds withdrawal), the date reported on the statement of the financial institution showing when payment was made is the date of payment. If you contest a tax liability and are a cash basis taxpayer, you can deduct the tax only in the year you actually pay it (or transfer money or other property to provide for satisfaction of the contested liability). See Publication
538, Accounting Periods and Methods, for details.
If you use an accrual method of accounting, see Publication
538 for more information.