Can I deduct the sales tax paid on a new boat purchased this year?

If you itemize deductions (instead of claiming the standard deduction) and opt to deduct state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes, you can treat taxes paid on a big ticket items, such as a boat or car, as deductible in addition to the amount allowed for your household sale according to the IRS table for this purpose (found in the instructions to Schedule A of Form 1040). But keep in mind that there is an overall $10,000 limit ($5,000 for married persons filing separately) on the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT), which includes property taxes, so the actual deduction for sales tax on the boat may be curtailed.