Can you deduct sales tax?

It's not deductible for income tax on a personal return. Business, yes.

Long time, no see, roverroad.

Oh, maybe I should register for a business license for my personal affairs

Thanks, I log in a lot, just haven't posted much lately.

Rov

Effective this year (2004 1040 personal income tax), if you itemize deductions, you have the option of deducting state and local income tax or state and local sales tax. You can deduct either actual sales tax or use the table in Pub. 600.

Upon rereading your question, I am confused. Any federal income taxes that you have already paid are deducted from the amount that you must send to the IRS, and if you end with a negative figure, the IRS will send a refund.

Flyboy, I have a full time job and my income taxes are deducted by my employer, therefore the money I spend has already been taxed once. That's why I was wondering if you can deduct the taxes that you've paid on sales tax at the end of the year since it is a double tax.

Thanks,
Rov

Roverroad, there's no double taxation involved here. The money that your employer has withheld (and forwarded to the IRS) is credited as part of your payment. If the amount withheld exceeds what you compute as being owed, you will receive a refund from the IRS. If not, you only pay the difference. It sounds as though you are a first time income tax payer. If so, this will probably become clear to you when you see your Income tax form.

You don't understand the question. Thanks anyway, Roger already told me what I need to know.

I did a quick search on IRS Pub 600. Flyboy is correct, and roger is a year out of date. Sorry for the misinformation.

Well that counts me out. Thanks for the info!