Tax Credit for Pet Expenses starting 12-31-09
 

Woo Hoo

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

HR 3501 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3501

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

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 31, 2009

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

A BILL

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.
mandymmrView Public ProfileSend a private message to mandymmrFind all posts by mandymmr

Oh my gosh!!! That is so awesome!!!!

Oh WOW!

So this has passed and will be effective in 2010 then?

The max deduction is $3500...hello!...I've spent that on vets in the last 4 months, lol! How great to be able to deduct that though.

WOW! I can't believe it...this would be amazing.

I just can't believe this has passed:D Happy bill is right:cool:

oh wow! That's awesome!!!

Wow! This is wonderful news.

This bill has not been passed yet. It was sent to the House Ways & Means Committee on 7/31/09.

The bill hasn't passed - it was only introduced on 7/31.

The effective date of 12/31/09 is there to identify, should the bill pass, that any spending prior to that date is inelligible. SO it would need to be money spent in 2010 and beyond.

While I think the bill has its good points, I think it would have a a better chance at passing, were it to narrow down what spending is considered for the credit; medical expenses only versus toys, clothes, diamond collars, and beds.

This has just made my day! :bananna::bananna::bananna::bananna::bananna::bana nna:I can't wait to tell my DH :D

oh how awesome!!

I had received letters about it being introduced and when I saw this, this morning I thought for sure it had passed.

Let's all call our rep to Congress today. Sorry about that, it does say introduced and I guess I was so excited I read too quickly.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but I can not see that being passed considering the federal deficit.

That's why I was surprised as well but they have deductions for wild and crazy things and this makes sense and will keep alot of pet in their homes.

Here is the info for the different state reps. I'll get senators in a minute. Dog people can do this......I Hope!! Tell all your nonmember friends.
Member Web Site Listing (by State) - United States House of Representatives, 111th Congress, 1st Session