You can’t claim your pet as a dependent, no matter how much a part of the family your pet is. You can’t treat veterinary bills as deductible medical expenses. And you can’t take an adoption credit for rescuing a pet from the pound.
This could change. A bill entitled Humanity and Pets Partnered through the Years (HAPPY Act) would allow pet owners to deduct up to $3,500 in pet expenses each year. It is too early to predict the likelihood of enactment of this measure at this time. We’ll continue to monitor this bill for you!
A fixed deduction allowed to every taxpayer, except those who may be claimed as a dependent by another person. Extra exemption deductions are allowed for a spouse on a joint return and for each qualifying dependent. A deduction of $3,400 is allowed for each exemption claimed on 2007 returns, but the deduction is phased out for certain high income individuals.