My property taxes for 2017 were paid 1/1/2018. Am I understanding the rule correctly in stating that I can use the 1/1/2018 payment of the 2017 taxes as a 2017 deduction?

[apowell11]

My taxes for the previous year are paid the first of January the next year via an escrow account. Am I correct in that the 1/1/2018 payment can be a 2017 deduction? 

[MichaelL1 · Accepted solution]

Property taxes for 2017 have to be actually paid in 2017.

If they were paid on 1/1/2018, they do not count as a deduction on 2017. 

i would double check your escrow account to see the actual date, as 1/1/2018 usually there is no activity due to Holiday, so see if they might have been paid the prior day.