What qualifies as "Major Purchase" for Sales Tax Deduction?

[Evan25]

Can I count appliances (refrigerator, washer/dryer) and furniture as "Major Purchases" toward the sales tax deduction?  Or are there only specific categories that qualify?

Thanks

[juliaomurray]

we bought new tires for a motor coach $6000 worth.  is that a major purchase

[BobB7]

linear's list is the complete list.  No tires.

[juliaomurray]

okay, thank you.

[BobB7]

You're welcome.

[BobB7]

But there IS another option.  the major items list is things that you can add to the standard table.  If you can show that the actual sales tax exceeds the table then you can use that.

[Arabella-Skywalker]

Why does TT claim only "large purchases" qualify? If you read instructions for schedule A, you will see that IRS does not limit sales tax deduction only to large purchases. "Generally, you can deduct the actual
state and local general sales taxes (including compensating use taxes) you paid in 2016 if the tax rate was the same as the general sales tax rate. However, sales taxes on food, clothing, medical supplies, and  motor vehicles are deductible as a general sales tax even if the tax rate was less than the general sales tax rate."

[woof-woof]

furnace purchase

[linear · Accepted solution]

Appliances and furniture don't qualify.

Major purchases include:

• A motor vehicle (including a car, motorcycle, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle, truck, van, and off-road vehicle)
• An aircraft or boat
• A home or substantial addition to or major renovation of a home

[knduin]

what is substantial? That is the point of the question?

[davidpjohnson]

Does a new HVAC unit count as a major item?

[TaxSam]

Does a new HVAC unit count as a major item for the state sales tax calculations?

[Lightyear66]

I think a new HVAC unit would count as a major renovation.  It is not specifically listed but I think this could be considered a major renovation item.  I think that the cost of the tax for the materials is likely deductible, but not the cost of installation, assuming you did not do it yourself.

IRS guidance is below:

General Sales Tax You Paid on Specified Additional Items

Enter in the box provided any state and local general sales taxes paid on the following specified items. If you moved during the year, include the total for the year in that box.

1. A motor vehicle (including a car, motorcycle, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle, truck, van, and off-road vehicle). Also include any state and local general sales taxes paid for a leased motor vehicle. If the state sales tax rate on these items is higher than the general sales tax rate, include only the amount of tax you would have paid at the general sales tax rate.
2. An aircraft or boat, if the tax rate was the same as the general sales tax rate.
3. A home (including a mobile home or prefabricated home) or substantial addition to or major renovation of a home, but only if the tax rate was the same as the general sales tax rate and any of the following applies.
• Your state or locality imposes a general sales tax directly on the sale of a home or on the cost of a substantial addition or major renovation.
• You purchased the materials to build a home or substantial addition or to perform a major renovation and paid the sales tax directly.
• Under your state law, your contractor is considered your agent in the construction of the home or substantial addition or the performance of a major renovation. The contract must state that the contractor is authorized to act in your name and must follow your directions on construction decisions. In this case, you will be considered to have purchased any items subject to a sales tax and to have paid the sales tax directly.

[Jovan314]

We have purchased a home and needed to purchase & replace the Electrical panel, full steel liner and chimney cap, generator for medical reasons, and a new water softener system.  Are these deductible for at least the sales tax deduction as major purchases?

[MinhT1]

@Jovan314

The law says that only building materials for a major renovation or substantial addition to a home would qualify for a deduction of sales tax.

If the work to described is only repairs or minor additions, they would not qualify.

Please read this TurboTax Help topic for more information.

As for the generator you bought for medical reasons, it may be deductible as Medical expenses if it is used for medical care.

Please read this TurboTax article for more information.