I pay real estate taes and school taxes on a summer cottage, can I claim these?

[GeoffreyG · Accepted solution]

The answer to your question is yes.  You can deduct the property taxes paid on any real estate you own, as well as any local school taxes that may also have been assessed, based on the value of the property.  This would, obviously, include a summer cottage or other vacation home.

To take such a tax deduction, please follow these steps in TurboTax:

Add together your real estate and your school taxes.  Then open (continue) your TurboTax return.  Locate the Find / Search box on your screen and input the exact search words "real estate property tax" and then click the button.  Click on the Jump To link that should appear underneath the search results and answer "Yes" to the question asking Did you pay any property taxes?  Then you will enter your real estate taxes and school taxes total on the next screen.

Please see the screen-capture image below for a visual guide.  Simply click the image to open.

Thank you for asking this question.