Pet Tax Return: Deductions for Pet Care?

Aug 17th 2009

Mention "income taxes" or "tax returns," and most of our eyes glaze over. But if Representative Thaddeus McCotter (R- Mich.) has his way, pet owners, at least, will have one reason to look forward to tax day.

On July 31, Congressman McCotter introduced House Resolution 3501, which seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for pet care expenses. Called the HAPPY Act (an acronym for "Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years"), the bill, if passed, will allow an individual to deduct a maximum of $3,500 for "qualified pet care expenses" for any "qualified pet," reports Pet Product News.

The congressman, who currently does not have any pets, sponsored the bill to help families care for their pets during tough economic times.

"Families have raised concerns about how the recession has impacted them and their pets, which should come as no surprise since more than sixty percent of United States households own a pet," Congressman McCotter wrote in an email to Paw Nation.

"Unfortunately, according to the Humane Society," the congressman continued, "the current recession has led to a noticeable increase in the number of animals at shelters and a decrease in the number of animals being adopted. We must help prevent children and families from losing their beloved pets or seeing animals destroyed due to an economic recession."