A Bill to Benefit Pet Owner’s Introduced in Congress

A new Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives last month that would benefit pet owners by allowing them to deduct up to $3,500 for “qualified pet-care expenses,” including vet bills.  However, word is that the Bill is drawing little attention, and lots of laughs.

While obviously owning a pet is not as expensive as raising children, in today’s economy taxpayers can use every break they can get – and a $3,500 tax break could be the difference between being able to keep your pet or having to give him/her up.  With foreclosure rates on the rise, the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented rate of animal abandonment – animals left alone in empty houses, or the lucky (sort of) ones being taken to shelters in the hope that they will find new homes.  A tax break such as this could be helpful in changing this trend.

While those in Congress may find it amusing, we think this Bill has potential to be very valuable to pet owners and the animals they love; as well as being a potential incentive for those without pets to become pet owners.

So we ask our readers the following questions:

1. Do you think such a Bill has value to the pet owners of America?
2. Do you think this Bill could be the incentive needed to encourage increased animal adoptions of shelter and rescue animals?
3. If you think this Bill has merit, what steps can the animal-community take to give the Bill momentum and help it to pass?

We would be very interested in seeing your comments and suggestions on this matter.

If you would like your voice to be heard by your elected officials, please feel free to register on this site where you can view all activity related to this Bill, as well send communication to elected officials in your specific geographic area regarding your preferences for their vote on this matter.

_____________________________________________________

Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act (Introduced in House)

HR 3501 IH, 111th CONGRESS, 1st Session

 

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for pet care expenses.

 

July 31, 2009

Mr. MCCOTTER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

---

 

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for pet care expenses.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

 

• (1) According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 63 percent of United States households own a pet.

  

• (2) The Human-Animal Bond has been shown to have positive effects upon people’s emotional and physical well-being.

SEC. 3. DEDUCTION FOR PET CARE EXPENSES.

 (a) In General- Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new section:

‘SEC. 224. PET CARE EXPENSES.

 `(a) Allowance of Deduction- In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to the qualified pet care expenses of the taxpayer during the taxable year for any qualified pet of the taxpayer.

`(b) Maximum Deduction- The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to the taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed $3,500.

`(c) Qualified Pet Care Expenses- For purposes of this section, the term `qualified pet care expenses’ means amounts paid in connection with providing care (including veterinary care) for a qualified pet other than any expense in connection with the acquisition of the qualified pet.

`(d) Qualified Pet- For purposes of this section–

  

• `(1) QUALIFIED PET- The term `qualified pet’ means a legally owned, domesticated, live animal.

  

• `(2) EXCEPTIONS- Such term does not include any animal–

  

• •  
    `(A) used for research or owned or utilized in conjunction with a trade or business, or

  

• •  
    `(B) with respect to which the taxpayer has claimed a deduction under section 162 or 213 in any of the preceding 3 taxable years.’.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last item and inserting the following new items:

  

• `Sec. 224. Pet care expenses.

  

• `Sec. 225. Cross reference.’.

(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.
A BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, H. R. 3501