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Level 5
posted Mar 1, 2020 10:13:18 AM

How do I get the right amount for sales tax?

I did the IRS Sales Tax Deduction Calculator.  Per IRS:  State=6.2500%.  Local 1.100%.  I entered 7.35%.  Turbo Tax Premeier has my deduction as $797.  IRS has that it is $937.    What income is this based on; Income 1040, Line 7 (taxable), or total income (taxable + nontaxable).   Should I try and override the $797 and change it to $937 or leave it alone?  Thanks

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3 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 1, 2020 10:41:43 AM

Follow these directions:

  • Under Deductions & credits / Your tax breaks, scroll down to Estimates and other taxes paid.
  • Click on Start/Revisit to the right of Sales Tax.
  • Under How do you want to enter your sales tax info?, click on EasyGuide.
  • Under Places you lived, you can click on Add a location.
  • Under Tell us the sales tax rate you paid while living in state, you enter the Total Sales Tax Rate that you paid.

See also this TurboTax Help.

Level 5
Mar 1, 2020 2:25:23 PM

Thanks.  I got that far.  It asks what Locality Group; 1, 2, or 3.  I live in Illinois near St. Louis.  I can not find the Locality Group even using Google.  Program wants me to fix this error and I don’t know how to find the answer.

Expert Alumni
Mar 2, 2020 11:57:43 AM

Keep the TurboTax calculation--it is more exact and is calculated on your income.  The IRS Sales Tax Calculator uses an income range (less than $20,000; $20-30,000; etc.)