HAPPY Act Would Allow Pet Owners up to $3,500 Tax Deduction

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed)
Dec 31st 2009 at 10:01PM

Even if you don't have pets, you've likely noticed how much more people are spending on their companion animals, and I don't just mean the vet, food, leashes, and litter. I'm talking about all the extras, such as carry bags, clothing, parties, day spas, etc. We've even mentioned on this site a number of expensive items you can purchase to indulge yourself, I mean, your pets. In fact, The American Pet Products Association reports that 2009 spending on pets hovers around $45.4 billion.

That said, no one is twisting pet owners' arms to buy all this stuff. But pet owners will be happy to know that they may get some relief from their day-to-day pet expenses in the form of the HAPPY [Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years] Act, a bill before Congress that would allow pet owners a tax deduction of up to $3,500 per person for pet care, including veterinary expenses. The bill, introduced by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), defines a pet as "a legally owned, domesticated, live animal," which covers dogs, cats and an assortment of other creatures.

When I mentioned the act to my family, I said, "I guess I'll need to prove I have pets, such as bringing a vet bill to the accountant." And they pointed out to me that years ago, no one had to prove they had children, and my parents even told me about some people they heard about who claimed to have children just for the deduction. (Now newborns leave the hospital as tax-paying citizens, complete with a Social Security number.)

USA Today has a good article on the HAPPY Act.

Tags: Congress, deduction, deductions, HAPPY Act, HappyAct, pet, pets, tax, taxes

Filed under: Pets

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

pwgilmartin Dec 31st 2009 11:50PM

as great as this sounds
how come congress can't pass hr1106 that allows bankruptcy judges to rewrite mortgages for those in chapter 13.
they just gave the phone companies 7.2 billion to expand broadband
they just gave gmac 3.2 billion and something that would cost the government NOTHING they won't pass

twisted and sad government

steve Jan 1st 2010 12:34AM

Give me a break - I am NOT paying for you to take care of you effing pet.....a bill like this introduced by a republican...is this April fools?

GAPeach Jan 2nd 2010 3:58PM

@ Steve - Why not???? I pay for you to take care of and educate your effing kids (among some of you other effing things).... my point is, that we ALL pay for everything else. Some people are having to choose between the four-legged family members vs a roof over their heads.

Diesel Jan 3rd 2010 9:39AM

I think this is great. Finally a bill to help the middle man. Most of us have pets and those of us who care for our pets properly- ie. take them to the vet, keep them leashed, etc, are NOT also collecting WELFARE. (the opinion of a middle class Republican)