The instructions for line 5 of Schedule A specifically state that one may not deduct "Foreign personal or real property taxes". That limitation clearly applies for boxes 5b and 5c, but it says nothing, positive or negative, about sales tax for box 5a. I can't find anything anywhere that discusses this.
If the answer to the first question is yes, I can deduct foreign sales tax on line 5a, does it make a difference that the tax is a VAT, rather than a US-style sales tax?
If there answer to the first question is no, can I then report those sales taxes on line 6 as an "other tax"?
If the answer to the first question is yes, I can deduct foreign sales tax on line 5a, does it make a difference that the tax is a VAT, rather than a US-style sales tax?
If there answer to the first question is no, can I then report those sales taxes on line 6 as an "other tax"?