For 2008, both regular tax and AMT purposes, an additional first-year depreciation deduction – 50 percent of the adjusted basis – is allowed for certain qualified tangible personal property placed in service in 2008. This deduction is also allowed in limited instances for property placed in service in 2009.  Additionally, for years beginning in 2008, the section 179 deduction maximum for taxable years is increased from $128,000 to $250,000, and the phase-out threshold is raised from $510,000 to $800,000. For more information, http://www.house.gov/jct/x-16-08.pdf.  

Source: AICPA Tax Alert Feb. 14, 2008