11.   A. Most flat tax proposals, including the one sponsored by Armey, would eliminate the home mortgage interest deduction.

12.   But he made the political mistake of seriously proposing to eliminate the home mortgage interest deduction as part of reforming the tax code.

13.   But it is difficult to see how politicians can resist the pressures of the housing, construction and lending industries to keep the mortgage interest deduction.

14.   Congress has repeatedly threatened to take away the second-home mortgage interest deduction.

15.   --Deny interest deductions for certain corporate debt.

16.   Dole, who has not offered a detailed tax proposal, indicated that he also favors retaining the mortgage interest deduction.

17.   Education credits, mortgage interest deductions for new homeowners, and child-care credits also are often forgotten when figuring out proper withholding.

18.   Even the housing groups are being careful not to slam the idea of a flatter tax system -- just the part pertaining to the home mortgage interest deduction.

19.   Finally, by prepaying the mortgage, you would be steadily reducing the amount of the home mortgage interest deduction that can be claimed on your income taxes.