You are correct. State and local estimated tax payments are generally deductible on your federal return in the year they are actually paid, not the year they are for.
A 2025 state tax payment made for the fourth quarter on January 15, 2026, is considered a 2026 payment. It should be included in your 2026 itemized deductions, not your 2025 itemized deductions.
When entering state estimated tax payments in the "Estimates and Other Taxes Paid" section of TurboTax, make sure that the 4th quarter 2025 payment is not included in the 2025 total.
Keep this record so you can deduct it on your 2026 return.
You can get back to your screens in TurboTax for your 2025 estimated tax payments as follows:
- Click on "Search" at the top right of your TurboTax screen
- Type "estimated tax payments" in the search box
- Click on the link "Jump to estimated tax payments"
- This will take you to a screen that says "Estimates and Other Income Taxes Paid"
- Select Start or Revisit next to the type of estimated tax payment (Federal or State estimated taxes)
- Enter the amount of estimated tax you paid at each of the quarterly due date
- Answer all follow-up questions on your TurboTax screens
Click here for Where do I enter my estimated tax payments?
Click here for Estimated Taxes: How to Determine What to Pay and When.
If you have additional information or questions regarding this, please return to Community and we would be glad to help.
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
