1.   Our tax system has shifted relentlessly toward taxes that allow no deductions for family dependents.

2.   A provision allowing the deduction expired last year.

3.   But consumer groups contend that allowing deductions for days when the Legislature is not in Albany defies logic.

4.   He said he could not understand why a deduction should be allowed for investments in llamas and slot machines but not horses.

5.   He would allow deductions only for home mortgage payments and charitable contributions.

6.   I understand that the Internal Revenue Service will allow a deduction for that.

7.   In addition, it allows tax deductions for new businesses that build on or clean up brownfields -- industrial areas that have fallen into disuse.

8.   In recent years, the IRS has become even more finicky about allowing the deduction.

9.   It is not clear whether countries must stop allowing tax deductions for bribes.

10.   Many countries, including Germany and France, even allowed their deduction as business expenses.