Can you deduct property taxes in California?
In this regard, are property taxes in California tax deductible?
Federal law limits your state and local tax (SALT) deduction to $10,000 if single or married filing jointly, and $5,000 if married filing separately. California does allow deductions for your real estate tax and vehicle license fees.
Beside above, can I deduct property taxes for 2018 if paid in 2019?
First, property taxes aren't deductible if you pay them before they are actually legally assessed. Assuming you paid your 2018 taxes in February 2018, you might find that paying your 2019 taxes also in 2018 raises your itemized deductions high enough to beat the standard deduction so you get some additional benefit.
Homeowners who itemize their tax returns can deduct property taxes they pay on their main residence and any other real estate they own. However, if you agree to pay the seller's delinquent taxes from an earlier year at the time you close the sale, you are not permitted to deduct them on your tax return.