HB 64 amended again

The Senate had earlier amended HB 64, the IRS conformity bill for 2008, to take out a clause that would cost the state $2 million, to match up Idaho’s state income tax code to a one-year change Congress imposed last year to grant a tax deduction to non-itemizers for property taxes paid. That sparked an outcry, and objections from Senate Tax Chairman Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, who maintained those who’d benefit from the state’s conforming are mostly homeowners who are young, old, or poor, and need the break. The deduction is for up to $1,000 on a joint return or $500 for an individual to offset property taxes paid. The federal economic stimulus bill extended the change into 2009 as well. Just now, the Senate, in its amending order, has voted to amend the bill again - this time to put the clause back in. It was a divided voice vote, but the new amendment passed.