State sales tax deduction

[Taxomy]

I had a contractor replace my leaky roof.  It was a complete roof replacement but the sales tax is not mentioned on my invoice.  I live in Pennsylvania.  Can I assume the total amount I paid includes the 6% sales tax and calculate what the sales tax would be to take a sales tax deduction?

[fanfare]

The rule is you can deduct anything for which you have a receipt.

Otherwise everyone would do what you suggest i.e. make up a number.

[ThomasM125 · Accepted solution]

The sales tax should be stated separately on the invoice. In some jurisdictions, sales tax is not collected when the contractor does not itemize materials provided. In these instances, the contractor may have paid the sales tax when the materials were purchased, so it would not be deductible by you. So, unless you are sure you paid sales tax, it would not be wise to deduct it on your tax return.

[Taxomy]

Thank you!  Just to be sure I contacted the contractor after your reply.  He confirmed that sales tax was not part of the price quoted to me.  Therefore, I cannot deduct any sales tax for this project.

[Taxomy]

I definitely didn't suggest making up numbers.  I should not have assumed the price quoted included the sales tax.  A call back to my contractor confirmed that I was never charged sales tax.  Should have called him first before posting my question.