KPM

Retirement Account Required Minimum Distributions Vacation Property Rentals Affecting Your Taxes Social Security Benefit Taxation Tax Implications of Unemployment Unused 529 College Funds IRA Contribution Gift Tax Return Difference Between Filing Jointly Or Separately Substantiation For Your 2023 Charitable Donations IRA Questions Filing 2023 Tax Year Returns Kiddie Tax Rules Medical Expense Tax Deduction Tax Obligations Of Moving To Another State How Are Court Awards & Out-Of-Court Settlements Taxed Nanny Tax Reduce Your 2023 Tax Bill FSA 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Federal Tax Amounts 10% Penalty Tax Restricted Stock 401(K) Plan SECURE 2.0 Scholarships Considered Taxable Income Casualty Loss Tax Deductions Tax Implications HSA Investment Gift Tax Selling your home Employer-Provided Life Insurance ABLE account Student Loan Interest Tax Breaks Catch-Up Contributions Tax Text Or Email From The IRS

Could You Save More by Deducting State & Local Sales Taxes?

For the last several years, taxpayers have been allowed to take an itemized deduction for state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes. This break can be valuable to those residing in states with no or low income taxes or who purchase major items, such as a car or boat. But it had expired December 31, 2014. Now, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act) has made the break permanent.

So, see if you can save more by deducting sales tax on your 2015 return. Do not worry — you do not have to have receipts documenting all of the sales tax you actually paid during the year to take full advantage of the deduction. Your deduction can be determined by using an IRS sales tax calculator that will base the deduction on your income and the sales tax rates in your locale plus the tax you actually paid on certain major purchases.

Questions about this or other PATH Act breaks that might help you save taxes on your 2015 tax return? Contact us — we can help you identify which tax breaks will provide you the maximum benefit. Want to know if you might qualify for either of these credits? Contact us to learn more.

Related Articles

Talk with the pros

Our CPAs and advisors are a great resource if you’re ready to learn even more.