Is the 2008 interest earned on a Traditional IRA counted as interest income on your 2008 income tax submittal?

No. All taxes on interest, dividends, and capital gains in a traditional IRA are deferred. No taxes are due until you withdraw from a traditional IRA, when it is counted as ordinary income (not income which is distinguished by whether it is from interest, dividends, or capital gains), which is taxed based on your adjusted gross income in the year they are withdrawn. If you withdraw before age 59.5, you owe an additional 10% penalty.

Contributions to a Traditional IRA made either in 2008 or on or before April 15, 2009, are deductible from your 2008 taxable income. However, there are limits to these contributions which depend on a host of factors. You cannot contribute more than $5000 total ($6000 if you are age 50 on December 31, 2008) to both a Traditional and Roth IRA. If you make over $105,000/year ($159,000 if married filing jointly), your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA is reduced or eliminated. However, no restriction based on income exists for a Traditional IRA. You can always contribute $5000 (or $6000 if age 50) to a Traditional IRA.