Can you claim taxes paid in 2016 for a 2015 tax return on your 2016 return?

[mattjt84]

I owed money when I filed my 2015 taxes, and paid the taxes in 2016.  Can you claim this as taxes paid in 2016?

[MichaelMc]

You did not mention whether you were asking about federal or state income taxes. Payment of federal income tax is not a tax-deductible expense.

However, state and local income taxes paid (or withheld from your pay) during 2016 are deductible, only if you itemize deductions. 

Refunds of prior year state and local income taxes received during 2016 are taxable income, only if you itemized deductions in the prior year to which the refund relates.

If you take the standard deduction, state and local income taxes will have no impact on your federal income tax.