Can You Deduct Pet Expenses?

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!