Can I claim 2016 real estate tax even though I paid them after December 31, 2016?

[jerry2000 · Accepted solution]

No, you can not claim that on your 2016 tax return. You claim real estate property tax in the year that you actually pay it, regardless of what year it is for. So, if you paid it in 2017, you would claim it on your 2017 tax return which you will prepare in 2018.