The past year has presented more than its fair share of uncertainty for the industry.

From a near government shutdown to a hyper-expedited presidential campaign, preparing for the impact of future policy change is no easy task. Topping the list of uncertain but important issues is the tax code.

House and Senate tax committees will continue to hold hearings on a series of tax reforms in upcoming months, though it is unlikely that a stab at fundamental tax reform will occur anytime before the 2012 election, according to the Real Estate Roundtable.

The public policy group points out that the combination of Bush-era tax cuts expiring at the year’s end, the automatic budget cuts coming in 2013 and calls for tax restructuring that continue to surface on the campaign trail will all keep taxes in the spotlight in 2012.