[rdhing]

Hello, I live in Texas and I have lived here since 2006.
In 2007 I made certain purchases and would like to know if itemizing them as deductions if allowable.

I purchased a new car in 2007, can the sales tax and the registration fee paid be considered as deduction? Are there any other fee paid during the purchase be considered as deduction?
Also for 2008 tax season, can the renewal of car registration fee be considered as deduction?

I also purchased a new home (model home) in September, 2007. The seller paid the property taxes to me (as a check) for the time I didn't live in the house, that is 1/1/2007 - 8/30/2007. Can I count their payment as a deduction as well? Or only the amount I paid?
Also, since I bought a town home, I pay HOA dues, are there any deductions possible?
Any other first time home buyers deductions possible? I am aware of the points.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

[ebaines]

In Texas since there is no income tax you can deduct sales tax paid instead. You are allowed to add the sales tax paid for big ticket items like cars to the standard amount of sales tax for your income bracket. See: the sales tax worksheet in the instructions for schedule A:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sa.pdf

Car registration fees are not deductible.

You can deduct real estate tax you paid only for the period you owned the home. See "Division of Real Estate Taxes" on page 2 of Pub 530:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p530.pdf

Homeowners assoc dues are not deductible.

Read Pub 530 to see what other items there might be that fit your situation.