are you to get significant benefits out of itemized deductions. >> higher income taxpayers like eric schonberg. >> i do take a substantial total number of deductions. >> in 2010 schonberg earned nearly $725,000. but just going by the book, he was able to deduct more than $160,000. this included more than $42,000 for new jersey high state and local taxes, and almost 68,000 in gifts to charities. schonberg has paid off his house but for many years took a deduction for interest paid on his mortgage. schonberg's tax return is not unique. in fact, affluent taxpayers receive the vast majority of benefits from deductions. in 2011 the overwell aming percentage of gains it from the mortgage interest deduction, the charitable donation deduction, and the state and local tax deduction all went to taxpayers making more than $100,000 a year. >> those that earned the highest income get the most benefit from tax deduction and those that earn the lowest incomes or lower income amounts get the least benefit. >> so it's upside down. >> but one of schonberg's biggest breaks didn't come from any deduction. it came