real estate tax deduction for non-itemizers

[dyne]

H. R. 3221 was signed into law on July 30, 2008 by President Bush. One of it's provisions is to allow a deduction for real estate tax paid by adding it to the standard deduction for those
who do not itemize. The amount so added is limited to $1,000 for joint returns and $500
for all other filers beginning on the 2008 tax return. The law seems to indicate that this is
allowable for 2008 and future years but editorials state that this is for 2008 only. Comments?

[New York Enrolled Agent]

H. R. 3221 was signed into law on July 30, 2008 by President Bush. One of it's provisions is to allow a deduction for real estate tax paid by adding it to the standard deduction for those
who do not itemize. The amount so added is limited to $1,000 for joint returns and $500
for all other filers beginning on the 2008 tax return. The law seems to indicate that this is
allowable for 2008 and future years but editorials state that this is for 2008 only. Comments?

This is what the legislation says in part:

`(C) in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2008, the real property tax deduction.'...

I agree that the wording could be interpreted in perhaps more than one way. But, for the tax year that begins on January 1, 2009 (the first future year), that year would not begin in 2008. I think that's what the intent of the wording was and why CCH & others say it is only for 2008. Obviously, there might be an extender for future years.