While some people are fretting about what they can get their
beloved (dog) for Valentine’s Day, the other half is busily trying to figure
out how they are going to get every tax deduction they can come time to file
taxes.
Let’s talk pet…pet
deductions on your tax return that is. Normally, I, Carly, don’t concern
myself with such things but seeing I’m mommy and daddy’s little tax deduction
and it’s getting to be tax season I thought this would be worth a few barks.
Okay, so you’ve replaced your skin kids with fur kids…I get
it, good choice. But just having an upper
crust pup doesn’t make it tax deductable. (I know, ridiculous, huh??), but
there’s no accounting for what’s going on in the minds of those that decide
these things at the higher levels…you know, those people that I overhear people
(not mentioning any names here) calling those people blood suckers and other
parasitic references.
So is your upper crust
pup also a service dog? Do you require the skills of a certified service
dog in your daily life, such as a Seeing Eye dog? If so, the costs to care for
this very special pet are deductible as a medical expense.
Does your upper crust
pup guard your business? You’ve heard of those growly pony sized beasts
that hang out at the junk yard at night haven’t you? Well, as much as they are only
a myth to me, apparently these beasts do exist and actually perform a service
other than drooling foam and snapping their 6 foot fangs, scaring the
bee-jeezus out of anyone that comes within fifty yards of the business. When
they are not eating humans with break-in tools and overly curious Internal
Revenue workers they also eat other pet-related food items (half of a cow at a single sitting - as the urban myth goes). As
you can imagine if there’s any truth to their existence they would take
considerable upkeep and expense. So you can deduct that upkeep as a business
expense.
But with all such things there’s a catch. Yup, the expenses
have to be at least equal to what the pet has brought in. If your upper crust pup models for a dog food commercial
and earns fifty dollars then you can only deduct fifty dollars worth of
relatable expenses. Unfortunately, just being cute isn’t a deduction (Like I
said there’s no accounting for the thought processes of the blood suck…I mean
those distinguished gentlemen of the
Internal Revenue’s think tank). Now if your profession is all about the dog then it may be possible to deduct all of your
relatable expenses.
Holding onto my philosophy of No Dog Left Behind surely you would never leave your beloved pet
behind should you move. If you move due to your work, the expense to move your
pet can also be deducted.
Are you one of those delightfully caring individuals that
commit to fostering pets in need of a home? The expenses of such a selfless,
generous service to those little pets in need may also be a tax deduction. (I,
Carly, thank you for your service).
Of course, your pawrents have set up a trust fund for you…most
states allow pet trusts as a deduction. (Have your accountant check to see if
your state is amongst those that realize the importance making sure your pet is
cared for in the event of your inability to do so).
Okay, FINE – let’s not forget about the C.A.T., not that any
C.A.T. could possibly perform a job as well as a divine doggie but apparently
some can (probably another urban dog myth).
Do you have a business that has a furless squirrel problem, otherwise known as
R.A.T.S.? (hmmm, cat and rat rhyme – interesting wouldn’t you say??) or maybe
you live in the bayou and your business is in the middle of a takeover – a takeover
from furless and legless creatures, also sporting six foot fangs called snakes by some and the C.A.T. hunts
those rats and snakes (oh that’s right, they do do the jobs no upper crust pup would consider) keeping
customers safe and products free from creature destruction then the care for
the C.A.T. would be considered a business expense.
Though most of the above deductions have been used, tested
and found to be true deductions in the eyes of the law; I, Carly must advise
you to consult with your accountant or tax professional to be sure rather than
rely solely on this blog, after all I’m a dog and I don’t think saying, “the
dog said it was a deduction” would hold up in an audit.
Better yet – contact the
men in black themselves -- but be careful as I’ve heard they can squeeze blood
from a vegetable called a turnip, might be another urban myth but better safe
than sorry.
Thanks for stopping by and be sure and follow me at:
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and check out the list of some of my other blogs below...
Check out some of these as I, Carly have a lot to bark about...
www.holidaysafetytipsforpets.blogspot.com
