If you are talking about federal income taxes, they are never deductible. If you paid state income taxes for 2014 when you filed your return in 2015, the additional taxes you paid with your return become deductible when you file your 2015 federal income tax return (assuming you itemize deductions).
Gross income less allowable adjustments, such as IRA, alimony, and Keogh deductions. AGI determines whether various tax benefits are phased out, such as personal exemptions, itemized deductions, and the rental loss allowance and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).