You can deduct taxes you paid on real estate if the following qualifications are met:

1. The real estate you own was not used for business.
2. These taxes are based on the assessed value of your property.
3. The assessment of the value of the real estate was made uniformly on property throughout the community.
4. The proceeds from paying these taxes must be used for general community or governmental purposes.

If your mortgage payments include your real estate taxes, you can only deduct the amount the mortgage company paid to the taxing authority during the tax year.

Refunds and Rebates:  If you received a refund or rebate during the tax year, you must reduce your deduction by the amount of that refund or rebate.  Only reduce your deduction by the amount of the refund or rebate that was from taxes paid during the tax year.  If you received a rebate or refund from real estate taxes you paid in a prior year, you do not need to reduce your deduction.  For example, in August of 2009 Tom received a rebate for real estate taxes he had previously paid.  This rebate was for real estate taxes he paid during 2008.  Since he actually paid the taxes in a previous year (he didn't pay them during 2009, the year for which he is filing his taxes and plans to take the deduction), he does not need to reduce his deduction.  If he had instead received a rebate during 2009 for taxes he had paid earlier in 2009, he would have to reduce his deduction on his 2009 return for real estate taxes paid.

DO NOT INCLUDE:  Itemized charges for services to specific property.  For example, if you pay association dues or if you pay for trash collection, water, or property maintenance, you cannot deduct these payments.