Après les retombées économiques de la pandémie de COVID-19, tout le monde pourrait profiter d'une pause sur ses impôts. Même si la garde d'animaux de compagnie peut sembler être un travail à temps plein, vous ne pouvez pas déclarer les animaux de compagnie comme des personnes à charge sur le plan fiscal, mais vous pourriez être en mesure d'amortir les dépenses liées aux animaux de compagnie si vous répondez à certains critères, cela vous aidera à garder une plus grande partie de votre argent durement gagné dans votre poche.
Voici tout ce que vous devez savoir sur la demande de déductions fiscales pour animaux de compagnie en 2022 :
- Pouvez-vous déduire les dépenses liées à votre animal de compagnie ?
- Comment pouvez-vous réclamer les animaux de compagnie aux impôts ?
- Déduction fiscale pour les animaux de service et de soutien émotionnel
- Déductions fiscales pour les animaux de trait
- Déductions fiscales pour les animaux de performance
- Déduction fiscale pour animaux de compagnie
- Frais de déménagement déductibles d'impôt pour les animaux de compagnie
- Comment déclarer les animaux de compagnie dans votre déclaration de revenus
- Déduction standard ou déduction détaillée
- Principaux plats à emporter
- Foire aux questions
Pouvez-vous déduire les dépenses de votre animal ?
Vous pouvez déclarer votre animal de compagnie sur vos impôts, mais uniquement dans des situations spécifiques qui s'appliquent généralement aux animaux d'assistance et aux revenus d'entreprise. Il existe différentes déductions fiscales pour les animaux de compagnie auxquelles vous pourriez avoir droit, ce qui vous permettrait de déduire les dépenses liées aux animaux de compagnie telles que :
- Factures vétérinaires
- Traitement médical
- Nourriture et fournitures
- Cours de formation
- Services de toilettage
- Frais de transport
- Frais d'embarquement
- Assurance pour animaux de compagnie
Comment pouvez-vous réclamer les animaux de compagnie aux taxes ?
Vous trouverez ci-dessous les cinq déductions fiscales pour animaux de compagnie les plus courantes auxquelles vous pourriez avoir droit en 2022 . Parlez à votre comptable pour obtenir les meilleurs conseils sur la déclaration de votre animal de compagnie à des fins fiscales.
1. Déduction fiscale pour les animaux de service et de soutien émotionnel
La plupart des gens ne peuvent pas déduire les frais médicaux pour animaux de compagnie sur leur déclaration de revenus, mais n'importe qui peut déduire les frais médicaux payés au cours de l'année d'imposition qui dépassent 7,5 % de son revenu brut ajusté en utilisant l'annexe A (formulaire 1040). Par conséquent, vous pourrez peut-être déduire les animaux de compagnie de vos impôts s'ils vous aident à titre médical ou s'ils fournissent certains services.
Par exemple, les personnes handicapées qui dépendent d'un animal d'assistance pour obtenir de l'aide peuvent être en mesure de réclamer un chien comme frais médicaux éligibles . Vous ne pouvez déduire les dépenses liées aux animaux de compagnie que pour les chiens qui effectuent des services spécifiques, comme ceux-ci :
Dans certains cas, vous pouvez déclarer votre chien sur vos impôts en demandant une déduction fiscale pour les animaux de soutien émotionnel . Mais gardez à l'esprit que bien que chaque animal de compagnie puisse fournir un soutien émotionnel, tous les animaux de compagnie ne sont pas considérés comme des animaux de soutien émotionnel (ESA) , autrement connu comme un chien de thérapie.
Pour réclamer votre chien d'assistance sur une déclaration de revenus, vous devez être en mesure de prouver que votre animal aide à traiter un besoin mental ou physique diagnostiqué . Soyez prêt à fournir une note de votre médecin comme preuve que vous avez besoin d'un animal d'assistance ou de soutien.
2. Déductions fiscales pour les animaux de trait
Si vous êtes propriétaire d'une entreprise, vous pourrez peut-être obtenir une déduction fiscale pour les animaux de compagnie qui fournissent un service pour votre entreprise. In this case, you’d be claiming a business expense deduction , so you’d have to be able to prove that the cost of keeping your pet is a necessary part of operations .
For example, you might be able to claim a deduction if you rely on a cat to protect your business from pests, or take a deduction for dogs working on your farm to protect livestock from prey.
If you want to claim pets as a business expense , hold on to all your receipts related to their caretaking. Examples of expenses you can write off include food and veterinarian costs. You should also keep a record of how much time the animal spends at your business.
If your pets perform in some way that earns you income, you may be able to claim them (and their related costs) as a business expense . For example, some people ride horses as a hobby, but if you perform by riding a horse and make an income from it, the IRS might consider the cost of caring for that horse as a qualified business expense .
If your dog appears in commercials, television shows, movies, or print advertisements, they could also be considered part of a business venture . The same could be true if your cat is the star of your monetized YouTube channel, in which case they may qualify for influencer tax write-offs .
Just be sure to keep accurate records of every expense related to your pet and the activity that earns income . This might include the money you spend on monthly pet insurance premiums as a means to protect your business investment.
4. Fostered Pet Deduction
If you foster animals, you might be able to get a tax break on your income return. Every expense made on caring for foster animals could be deducted as charitable donations, so long as the animals are from a qualified nonprofit organization.
Most nonprofits will pay for the cost of food and veterinary care for the animals you foster, but any necessity you pay for out-of-pocket is a tax-deductbile pet expense.
If you volunteer at animal shelters or rescue organizations, you may be able to deduct fuel costs , so keep track of your mileage. Note that this pet tax deduction only applies to driving done in service to the organization’s mission, not to your commute.
5. Tax-Deductible Moving Expenses For Pets
Finally, you may be able to claim pet expenses on taxes if you spent money transferring them to a new home in 2021. However, you can only write off pet expenses related to moves that meet certain conditions established by the IRS:
- The move must closely relate to the start of work.
- Your new primary job location must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your previous job location.
- After the move, you must work full-time at your new job for at least 39 weeks the first year.
How to claim pets on your tax return
In order to claim your dog or cat on a tax return, rather than taking a standard deduction, you’ll need to write off pet expenses as itemized deductions .
Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deduction
When most people file their taxes, they take the standard deduction , a pre-set number (updated annually) that the IRS allows you to deduct from your taxable income without any questions asked. When filing in 2022 for the 2021 tax year , the standard tax deduction that you can claim based on your filing status is:
- Married filing jointly - $25,100
- Married filing separately - $12,550
- Single - $12,550
- Head of household - $18,800
Alternatively, you can also itemize deductions by adding up the dollar amount of each qualified expense in 2021. That’s how you can claim pets on taxes, including their vet bills, pet insurance, food supplies, and more. Just remember to keep receipts on record to support every pet expense you claim, as well as proof that your pet is tax deductible , to safeguard against an IRS audit.
However, if all of your itemized deductions from the 2021 tax year don’t amount to much, you’re probably better off taking the standard deduction versus claiming your pet on a return .
If you think the amount that you can write off in pet expenses (in addition to all other tax deductions you may qualify for) is greater than the standard deduction, then it’s worth calculating the total amount, so you can get the biggest tax break possible. We recommend talking to a professional for help.
Clé à retenir
- The IRS allows pet-related tax deductions for those who meet specific qualifying criteria.
- If you have a pet that works in service or industry, or you work with a charitable organization, this may apply to your tax return.
- It's best to consult with a tax professional who can determine your eligibility before claiming deductions for pets.
Foire aux questions
Is a pet a dependent?
No, pets are not considered dependents for tax purposes.
What are common pet expenses you can write off on a tax return?
Veterinary bills, pet insurance, food, supplies, training, grooming, boarding, and transportation costs are all examples of pet expenses you can write off on taxes. However, you can only claim pets on taxes if they meet certain criteria, such as contributing to income or serving a medical need. Talk to a professional to see if you can file your dog or cat on your taxes.
Are pet medical expenses tax-deductible?
Yes, pet medical expenses are tax-deductible for pets that are classified as service animals or working animals. You might also be able to claim vet bills on taxes for pets you foster, provided that the nonprofit organization you work for is registered with the IRS and has not reimbursed you for the service.
If you’re looking for a way to get reimbursed for your family pet’s medical expenses, pet insurance is a great tool that can help reduce veterinary expenses in the future.
Are there any pet deductions people are surprised to hear that they can't take?
Most of the pet deductions people typically think of — such as claiming vet bills on taxes or writing off pet insurance — are actually eligible write-offs for those that qualify. However, many taxpayers are surprised to find they can’t claim a pet on a tax return due to the classification of the animal, or lack of sufficient proof required to support the pet deduction. Others are surprised to learn that you can’t claim pets as dependents on taxes.
What kind of proof do people need to show that they have a service animal or a working animal?
For services animals, the The IRS explains that the animal will likely have to be trained and/or certified to help treat a diagnosed illness or condition — and you may need a doctor's note describing the medical necessity. For a working animal, you'll likely have to prove that the animal is "ordinary and necessary" in your line of business.
Does a "pet influencer" count under any of those categories?
Always check with a tax professional, but it looks like if your dog or cat is the star of a monetized YouTube channel, for example, they might be classified as a performance animal. In which case expenses related to your pet and the activity that earns income could be eligible for influencer tax write-offs.
When might people want to write off pet expenses as itemized tax deductions?
Always consult a tax professional, but generally, people determine if their itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction amount before deciding to itemize.
What kind of pet-related moving expenses would be tax-deductible?
If you had to move for work, those moving expenses (including any involved in transporting your pet) could be eligible for a deduction, such as professional carrier services, transportable crates, lodging fees, etc.
What are other tips for how a pet owner might save money on pet-related expenses?
Two big ones. (1) Preventive/routine care appointments play a major role in helping health issues before they get too expensive, so please schedule regular vet appointments. (2) Pet insurance is a great way to hedge the financial risk of unexpected accidents, illnesses, and emergencies — and there are no health networks to worry about. Pet insurance can reimburse you for up to 100% or more of the vet bill after your annual deductible is met, which can be a literal life (and wallet) saver, as serious health issues can easily cost thousands to treat.
