TAX deduction!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22
From: West Hills, CA
You can still amend your tax return, check with your accountant or with the IRS. If you used software then it would have asked about it. Depending upon your situation, it could net you an extra $500-600.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22
From: West Hills, CA
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 615
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by LexSol
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=133209,00.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23
I got the deduction because I itemized my taxes...You're not able to get the deduction unless you itemize and then you still might not qualify for it. I think there is a choice between the state sales tax or this deduction, which ever is higher...In my case my husband also bought a new car, so we had sales tax on two cars, which was alot!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22
From: West Hills, CA
Sales Tax Deduction Option
FS-2005-6, January 2005
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 gives taxpayers the option to claim state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes when they itemize deductions. This option is available for the 2004 and 2005 returns only.
IRS Publication 600, Optional State Sales Tax Tables, helps taxpayers determine their sales tax deduction amount in lieu of saving their receipts throughout the year. Taxpayers use their income level and number of exemptions to find the sales tax amount for their state. The table instructions explain how to add an amount for local sales taxes if appropriate.
Taxpayers also may add to the table amount any sales taxes paid on:
*
A motor vehicle, but only up to the amount of tax paid at the general sales tax rate; and
*
An aircraft, boat, home (including mobile or prefabricated), or home building materials, if the tax rate is the same as the general sales tax rate.
For example, the State of Washington has a motor vehicle sales tax of 0.3 percent in addition to the state and local sales tax. A Washington state resident who purchased a new car could add the tax paid at the general sales tax rate to the table amount, but not the 0.3 percent motor vehicle sales tax paid.
Taxpayers will claim the deduction on line 5 of Schedule A, checking a box to indicate whether the amount represents sales tax or income tax.
While this deduction will mainly benefit taxpayers with a state or local sales tax but no income tax — in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — it may give a larger deduction to any taxpayer who paid more in sales taxes than income taxes. For example, you may have bought a new car, boosting your sales tax total, or claimed tax credits, lowering your state income tax.
Taxpayers may download Pub. 600 from the IRS Web site, or order it by calling (toll-free) 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The IRS has mailed Pub. 600 to all taxpayers who received a Form 1040 tax package.
FS-2005-6, January 2005
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 gives taxpayers the option to claim state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes when they itemize deductions. This option is available for the 2004 and 2005 returns only.
IRS Publication 600, Optional State Sales Tax Tables, helps taxpayers determine their sales tax deduction amount in lieu of saving their receipts throughout the year. Taxpayers use their income level and number of exemptions to find the sales tax amount for their state. The table instructions explain how to add an amount for local sales taxes if appropriate.
Taxpayers also may add to the table amount any sales taxes paid on:
*
A motor vehicle, but only up to the amount of tax paid at the general sales tax rate; and
*
An aircraft, boat, home (including mobile or prefabricated), or home building materials, if the tax rate is the same as the general sales tax rate.
For example, the State of Washington has a motor vehicle sales tax of 0.3 percent in addition to the state and local sales tax. A Washington state resident who purchased a new car could add the tax paid at the general sales tax rate to the table amount, but not the 0.3 percent motor vehicle sales tax paid.
Taxpayers will claim the deduction on line 5 of Schedule A, checking a box to indicate whether the amount represents sales tax or income tax.
While this deduction will mainly benefit taxpayers with a state or local sales tax but no income tax — in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — it may give a larger deduction to any taxpayer who paid more in sales taxes than income taxes. For example, you may have bought a new car, boosting your sales tax total, or claimed tax credits, lowering your state income tax.
Taxpayers may download Pub. 600 from the IRS Web site, or order it by calling (toll-free) 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The IRS has mailed Pub. 600 to all taxpayers who received a Form 1040 tax package.
You don't have to own a home to take the deduction, but you do have to itemize and have more in itemized deductions than the standard deduction. If you've already filed, and paid your tax accountant, probably not worth the hassle or expense to file an amended return. (My father is a CPA.)