Thanks for your response ... but ... Hmmm 😊, I asked the same question in REDDIT r/tax and the answer I received was Yes. You're right that in the case of a "Yes" answer the refund would apply only to the extent that you had claimed a State Sales Tax deduction but Yes is Yes. With the Social Security and spousal retirement account income exclusions, the Federal Sales Tax deduction option seems to be a competitive option. I wonder if there are others who will vote/weigh in?
