Can we choose what taxes are deductible for schedule A to avoid the state refund from being taxable next year?

[George4Tacks · Accepted solution]

Go to forms - look at General Information. FEDERAL CARRYOVERS  Does it show any state tax taxable? Lacerte is electing to take other taxes first. There are some options given at the top of the Taxes section of Screen 25

1=Force Income Tax, 2=Force Sales Tax, Blank=Optimize 

Schedule A Taxes                                                         Screen 25; Code 89

The program automatically deducts the greater of the state and local income taxes or state and local sales taxes on Schedule A. Enter 1 in this code to override the program’s automatic calculations and deduct state and local income taxes to Schedule A. Enter 2 in this code to override the program’s automatic calculations and deduct state and local sales taxes to Schedule A.

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It has been suggested that if you do not have any state sales tax, enter $1 as actual sales tax paid

[FrankK]

This issue came up in VA when the TCJA was passed.  VA has "ordering rules" for the deduction of state and local taxes. You can't "cherry pick."  So check your state or states.