Okay. I guess this post doesn't really qualify as real estate news, but y'all know that I like to keep you informed, real estate-related or not. Besides, this one could be said to be indirectly related to real estate since those of us who own homes pay property taxes which go to support our school systems. But hey. Do I need an excuse to spread the news about something that might have a positive impact on your wallet...? I thought not.

Although many of you have probably already heard about this, it's news to me. I've just discovered that during the second special session of Louisiana's legislature last year, a bill was passed to allow parents to deduct certain school expenses from their taxes beginning in 2009.

Parents of public school students can deduct the cost of school uniforms and supplies. Home school parents can deduct the cost of educational materials, and parents who send their children to private or parochial schools can deduct tuition, supplies, and certain other expenses. The deduction can be taken on the 2009 tax return which is filed in 2010, so be sure you're keeping track of these expenses with receipts. For more details, go here.