Sales tax on windows

[trberkovich]

I installed energy efficient windows in 2025.  The total cost of the two projects was about $23,000.  On TurboTax, one of the screens allow itemization of large purchases and information on the sales tax is required.  The provider of the windows did not itemize the costs of the window installation.  I called for the information and was told that no sales taxes are incurred with the projects.  That report does not sound correct to me.  Do you agree?  If yes, can I report these large projects and just calculate sales tax on the total?  I won't have any documentation with this approach.  Please advise.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

The windows purchased would not be considered a Major Purchase for sales tax purposes.

Common major purchases include:

• Vehicles
• Off-road vehicles

If the sales tax paid on the following items was the same as your general sales tax rate, you can also include:

• Aircraft
• Boats
• Mobile homes
• Manufactured housing
• Building materials for major home improvements

[Mike9241]

you can not deduct any sales tax.  To claim the tax for these items, you must keep adequate records that support the amount you paid. While the IRS does not specifically mandate original paper receipts, you must have enough documentation to prove the tax was paid at the general rate. For home construction or renovations, the rules are more strict and generally require that you pay the tax yourself and not make a reimburement of to the party that actually paid the tax.

Most taxpayers don't know this, but when they are the initial buyers of a home, they are likely reimbursing the contractor for the sale tax paid.  Those who know this and want the deduction buy the materials directly ad pay the tax. At least some did it years ago when there was no limit on the tax deduction on schedule A.