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Can I deduct the $4970 sales tax I paid for a new car in 2018?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 4, 2019
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My state and local sales tax deduction is estimated at about $1800. I entered the $4970 in sales tax I paid for the new car, but TurboTax says $0 of that amount is deductible. I would like to understand why not, as it would change me from owing the IRS to getting a refund.

TurboTax Deluxe Online

Best answer by xmasbaby0

There is a limit of $10,000 that you can deduct for all state and local taxes, including sales tax--on your federal return.

Many taxpayers are surprised this year because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns. The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund. The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you. Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. It is not a refund

2018 Standard Deductions:

Single $12,000 (+ $1600 65 or older)

Married Filing Separately $12,000 (+ $1300 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,000 (+ $1300 each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,000 (+ $1600 65 or older

Look at line 8 of your Form 1040 to see your standard or itemized deductions.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-reform

X

xmasbaby0Answer

Employee

There is a limit of $10,000 that you can deduct for all state and local taxes, including sales tax--on your federal return.

Many taxpayers are surprised this year because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns. The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund. The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you. Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. It is not a refund

2018 Standard Deductions:

Single $12,000 (+ $1600 65 or older)

Married Filing Separately $12,000 (+ $1300 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,000 (+ $1300 each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,000 (+ $1600 65 or older

Look at line 8 of your Form 1040 to see your standard or itemized deductions.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-reform

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**