[pokey]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but it is worth repeating.

U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter has introduced the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (“HAPPY”) Act, legislation to allow individuals to claim tax deductions for qualified pet care expenses. The bill would allow any taxpayer who legally owns one or more domesticated animals to take an annual income tax deduction of up to $3,500 for pet care expenses, including veterinary care costs.

What You Can Do
Use the letter in the following link to email your U.S. representative now and urge him or her to support and cosponsor the HAPPY Act, H.R. 3501! Please keep in mind that personal comments strengthen the impact of your letter.

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2605

 

[slip_kid]

Good gracious, how can we keep giving money away? where does it come from????

 

[Willow52]

I love pets, I've always had a pet (or 2 or 3) but, with that said, I don't want my hard earned tax dollars going to pay for someone's pet care. Sorry. I don't mind helping to house or feed a family. A pet, other than a therapy dog, is not necessary. If you can't afford to have a pet without government assistance (aka tax deduction) don't have one.

 

[slip_kid]

True, if you have a therapy dog, or a search dog, I assume you can already write off expenses, charitable time.

Pets? Come on.

 

[rappwizard]

For many people, they would be able to deduct their pet's medical bills, but not their own, because of the 7.5% AGI minimum that must be met first for "human" medical/dental expenses. I don't get it. My pets are valuable--but aren't people and their health worth more?

 

[fostermom]

Good gracious, how can we keep giving money away? where does it come from????

My understanding is that it's a tax deduction, which means that the person who is claiming it is paying less taxes, not that someone else is paying for it.

I do agree. I think they should just remove the 7.5% AGI qualification for people and their medical bills and allow them to get a deduction for the money they have spent on their health care. I spent $10,000 one year and didn't hit the 7.5% AGI. I wasn't making that much money, but with all the hoops that I had to jump through, I think I hit 7%. I am still paying off that credit card.....

 

[Willow52]

My understanding is that it's a tax deduction, which means that the person who is claiming it is paying less taxes, not that someone else is paying for it./QUOTE]

Someone is paying for it. From where do you think money for government programs come? :doh:...taxes. The pet owner will be paying less taxes into the "pot", that means less money in the government coffers. Someone's taxes somewhere will have to go up to compensate for this. Sounds like paying to me.

 

[Pointgold]

I am adamantly against this plan.

 

[fostermom]

My understanding is that it's a tax deduction, which means that the person who is claiming it is paying less taxes, not that someone else is paying for it./QUOTE]

Someone is paying for it. From where do you think money for government programs come? :doh:...taxes. The pet owner will be paying less taxes into the "pot", that means less money in the government coffers. Someone's taxes somewhere will have to go up to compensate for this. Sounds like paying to me.

So essentially, any deductions are bad and should be revoked, right? Because obviously someone is paying for it. See, I am not as stupid as your "hand smacking the forehead" emoticon appears to try to make me seem.

 

[hotel4dogs]

I just want to know the names of the 4 people I am currently supporting with the taxes I pay now so that I can claim them as dependents on my tax return.

 

[booklady]

I have paid (and happily) for the education of other people's children for the last 40 years. I have (happily) supported the deduction for dependants. I have no children (no deductions). I spent 2-1/2 years taking care of a very ill relative (no deduction). I can't afford my own health insurance. I pay for road maintenance and highway construction through my taxes, both property and income. I don't own a car. Why can't I have the comfort if one of my dogs gets hit by a car (very unlikely as they are always supervised) or gets cancer of knowing I would at least be able to write off up to $3500 in medical bills. I'd still have to pay the bills, but it would help.

There are a lot of much more inconsequential deductions.

 

[fostermom]

I have paid (and happily) for the education of other people's children for the last 40 years. I have (happily) supported the deduction for dependants. I have no children (no deductions). I spent 2-1/2 years taking care of a very ill relative (no deduction). I can't afford my own health insurance. I pay for road maintenance and highway construction through my taxes, both property and income. I don't own a car. Why can't I have the comfort if one of my dogs gets hit by a car (very unlikely as they are always supervised) or gets cancer of knowing I would at least be able to write off up to $3500 in medical bills. I'd still have to pay the bills, but it would help.

There are a lot of much more inconsequential deductions.

Very good point.

 

[Kelmel]

I am sorry, but the idea of giving someone a tax deduction for pets in some way makes someone else have to pay more taxes doesn't make sense to me. Probably because I don't have children either. Of course, nothing about taxes makes sense.

If vet bills were tax deductible, would that mean more dogs and cats would be spayed and neutered?

 

[Bock]

Bad idea overall...if you can't afford an animal, don't get one. Simple as that.

Question though...say someone doesn't pay any, or very little, taxes and they have a dog. Will they be able to get a check to equal the tax break they would have received or are they just out of luck??

Either way, I'm still against it.

 

[booklady]

No they would not get a check. If they did a short form, they would not get the pet deduction. This is UP TO 3500 in legitimate, documentable costs. Close to, but not exactly like a charitable donation. For the charitable donation, you get an automatic non-documented amount (even on short form), beyond that you must have documentation. For the pet deduction, you must have proof. This is not for the mere existance of a pet, this for costs.

Yeah, it just might help with speuter, for the uneducated - not the poor.

 

[pburchins]

I don't like weighing into political discussions on a non political forum. I personally don't like us being divided by politics when we are brought together by the unconditional love of our goldens. That being said.........

I don't believe there should be a deduction. In fact, I don't believe there should be any deductions whatsoever. I believe we should get 100 percent of our income and pay our taxes via a federal sales tax or what is called the fair tax. All federal taxes would be eliminated and you could save your money without being taxed. I highly recommend buying the book or going to the library and checking it out. My congressman John Linder wrote it with radio host Neal boortz.

Here is the book at amazon......

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/00..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KAA4Z3QM0BY9RPDP2FF

Here is the broadcast site for you to listen to the basics.

http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2009/10/fairtax-101-special-1.html

We would not have this argument over a deduction. Everyone would pay their taxes including all the people who are not filing taxes. Ie, drug dealers, illegal aliens, non filers. The best part the IRS goes away.....