Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 6:57:12 PM

I am trying to take the state and local income tax standard deduction but it has state sale tax deduction instead. How do I change this?

0 6 719
1 Best answer
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 6:57:14 PM

To go to the section of the tax return to compare using the sales tax deduction or the income tax deduction and choose which one to use on your return, follow these steps:

  • On the top row of the TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner)

  • This opens a box where you can type in “sales tax” (be sure to enter exactly as shown here) and click the magnifying glass (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find)

  • The search results will give you an option to “Jump to sales tax

  • Click on the blue “Jump to sales tax” link


6 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 6:57:14 PM

To go to the section of the tax return to compare using the sales tax deduction or the income tax deduction and choose which one to use on your return, follow these steps:

  • On the top row of the TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner)

  • This opens a box where you can type in “sales tax” (be sure to enter exactly as shown here) and click the magnifying glass (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find)

  • The search results will give you an option to “Jump to sales tax

  • Click on the blue “Jump to sales tax” link


New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:57:15 PM

I'm sorry, I should have provided more detail. In the State and Local Taxes section, TT says it's chosen my deduction as the State and Local Income Tax Deduction ($5676), but when I hit Continue and look at my Other Taxes Paid summary, it's listing Sales Tax and that amount ($1353). I've tried redoing this section, but the State an Local Income Tax Deduction and amount will not show up there.

Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 6:57:16 PM

Some of the summary screens will show items that have been entered or compared, but that does not necessarily mean that it will be reported that way on your tax return.  When you go through the section and it shows that you are using the State and Local tax, then that is what your Schedule A should show when you are able to print it out and take a look.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:57:17 PM

Yes, you are correct. It is showing the State and Local Tax when I look at the actual Schedule A. Thank you for your help!

Level 1
Apr 13, 2023 3:13:07 PM

How do I use state and local tax deduction rather than sales tax deduction

Level 15
Apr 13, 2023 3:16:52 PM


@silasnic43 wrote:

How do I use state and local tax deduction rather than sales tax deduction


The TurboTax program will select either the state/local income tax deduction or the Sales Tax deduction, whichever is higher.

If you do not want to use Sales Taxes then do not complete the Sales Tax section of the program.