YouTube dogs: congressman wants tax breaks for pet owners
Filed under: Tax
Republican Congressman Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan has introduced a bill that would allow pet owners to deduct up to $3,500 per year in pet care expenses.The bill also has the distinction of being one of the most poorly-named pieces of legislation in U.S. history: the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years Act, or "HAPPY Act."
In a video for DoggyTV on YouTube, he explained that "Well, we've had reports of people having to turn in pets because of the economic recession. And when you think about the relationship between people and pets and the humane way that it helps people think, it seemed to me to be a good idea, and we dropped it in."
Here's what I don't understand about that: If the concern is broke people having to turn in pets because of the recession -- and it's a very small minority of pet owners who are having to do that -- isn't there a better way to target the relief than a tax deduction?
Perhaps a $500 tax credit for people with pets who lose jobs? Or maybe we should just set up a new welfare program to support people with pets? The bigger question is why we need to make the tax code more complex.
In 2007, a Long Island taxpayer sent an impassioned letter to her congressman begging for the right to claim her "2 very expensive dogs" as dependents on her tax return: "If I should mistreat, neglect, abuse or deprive my dog of health care in any way, I can be arrested for animal cruelty. But yet, here we are, spending thousands and thousands of dollars each year giving my dogs the best care in emergency and non-emergency situations, what do we receive? My proposal is to be able to declare my dogs as dependents on my taxes at the end of the year."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
10-18-2009 @ 2:40PM
Sandie Van Hoose said...
It would be extremly helpful to reduce overcrowding in pet shelters as people would be inclined to adopt more than one pet.
I would love to have more than one animal, but the expenses to properly care for a pet is out of sight. Anything pet related is priced to the max with no sales ever on vet needs.
It annoys me to hear ads pleading for pet adoption, but unless a person is extremely wealthy, it is not possible.
This congressman proposing this deduction is the first politician that may live in the real world.
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10-19-2009 @ 8:03PM
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10-19-2009 @ 8:44PM
Kingbtd said...
The real world? In the real worlds I've lived in, you eat dogs. You live in a weird country with no morals or actual concept of humanity. Just murder some more Afghan women, children and men or if you get a weekend free, you could murder some Iraqis, too -that might help you remember your humanity a little better. I'd eat your dog in a real world. Americans are creepy.
10-19-2009 @ 11:26PM
D said...
I THINK IT WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND THE STREETS WHERE SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO TURN TO DUE TO THE ECONOMIC TIMES WE'RE IN. . .WAKE UP!! AMAZING, IN AMERICA PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO MATTER MUCH BUT PETS, THE SUN RISES AND SETS ON THEM. . .A$#H&*^@!!
10-20-2009 @ 12:57AM
CLYDE said...
OH, HELL YEAH... WHY NOT? FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAID CARDS FOR EVERY CRITTER POOPIN' AND PEEIN' ALL OVER GOD'S CREATION. HOW ABOUT WE RAISE YOUR TAXES TO PAY FOR IT... AND LEAVE MINE THE HELL ALONE?
10-20-2009 @ 2:24AM
VERNON said...
THIS IS SO TRUE, I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS MYSELF FOR A LONG WHILE NOW.........APPRECIATE YOU
10-20-2009 @ 5:45AM
Walt said...
What good does a tax credit do a person with no income?
10-19-2009 @ 8:01AM
kristin said...
Please never forget seeing eye dogs and Police dogs.
They are treated well and loved.
They should also not be excluded.
Even if they are covered under a budget or some type of insurance.
Owners and trainers take them home and should be compensated.
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10-20-2009 @ 1:36AM
CC said...
You've got to be dumber than a sack of hammers. People who raise and train working dogs do get compensated; it's their job. The expenses they incurr for animal health are business expenses, and as such, deductable.
And I agree with Irene, breeders turning out children should be taxed extra after the first one or two. It's irresponsible to spit out innumerable kids in the name of some ancient religious edict. Back when those ideas were "penned", you could sell your kids like a litter of puppies. In lieu of that, get ready to pay for breeding more warriors for the army of god.
10-18-2009 @ 7:19PM
Tony said...
Finally, a politician barking up the "right" tree for a change. I think his proposal is way overdue.
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10-19-2009 @ 11:25PM
D said...
YOU'RE AN IDIOT AND SELF-CENTERED JACKASS IF YOU THINK THAT OFFERING A TAX BREAK TO PET OWNERS IS A GOOD IDEA. . .OFFER THAT BREAK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LITTLE 'HUMAN' MOUTHS TO FEED. . .THINK THAT'S A BIT MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR FLEE RIDDEN HOUNDS.
10-20-2009 @ 1:27AM
BOB said...
hey d maybe if we spay and neuter all of the lazy liberal welfare breeders there wouldn't be somemany of the mouths to feed
10-18-2009 @ 8:19PM
hank wilbur said...
pets are also a creation of god and should be treated and respected with much love and care. its hard to put your animals down cause you cant care for them . thats a very bad way for people to act. a proposal to help pets would be a great thing for all..
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10-18-2009 @ 8:28PM
Donovansdanes said...
I have 6 dogs & 2 cats. The dogs ages range from 6 years old to 14 years old. The cats 7 years and 16 years old. I've spent in excess of $3,500 for medical expenses on just 1 dog in a month.
I also go on vacation twice a year for 7 days. The total boarding bill for 7 days is $1,675.00
A pet in some cases, can cost as much as a child to take care of in a one year period.
However, we all love our children, and we all love our pets. As they are both very much loved members of ones family.
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10-19-2009 @ 8:42PM
You are serious? said...
Shelters for the homeless are running out of food, people can't afford their medications and you can spend WHAT for your pets?
10-19-2009 @ 11:26PM
D said...
I REALLY WISH ALL OF YOU WOULD GET YOUR PRIORITIES TOGETHER. WE ARE IN A TIME WHERE PEOPLE (HUMAN BEINGS) NEED SHELTER, FOOD, AND CLOTHING, YOU KNOW, THE BASIC NECESSITIES, AND YOU'RE SUPPORTING A BILL THAT GIVES TAXPAYERS A BREAK FOR OWNING PETS?? WHAT THE F$#% IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??? YOU ALL OBVIOUSLY LIVE IN LA LA LAND.
10-19-2009 @ 11:26PM
D said...
THINK ABOUT ALL THE HUMAN BEINGS YOU COULD HELP WITH THE MONEY YOUR SPENDING ON YOUR MUTTS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN WHEN PEOPLE NO LONGER MATTER??
10-20-2009 @ 1:49AM
byelogvardetza said...
Many children are little thug sacks of crap, and yet they are deducted, get SSI and all other kinds of welfare. how dare any of you people suggest that a guy who spends money on his pets should be forced to spend that money on YOUR KIDS instead, or some homeless shelter. If we have so many needy kids STOP HAVING THEM. I"M NOT PAYING ANY MORE FOR THEM. I'd rather take my pet to the vet instead. And get a tax break for the overinflated vet costs that contribute to stimulating our economy. Jeez. feed your own friggin kids you holier-than-thou whiners!
10-18-2009 @ 11:40PM
NoWay said...
A TERRIBLE IDEA. I have six dogs and a cat so know what it costs.
People who can;t afford to take care of their pets are not paying any federal income tax anyway, so this will not help them.
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10-19-2009 @ 1:01PM
CATWOMAN said...
I'M ALL FOR THIS. SHELTERS ARE OVERCROWDED AS IT IS AND THE NOT-FOR-PROFITS ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE REVENUE IS DOWN DUE TO PEOPLE'S LOSS OF JOBS. THIS BILL WOULD ENSURE OWNER'S ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR PETS AND LOWER THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT THE SHELTERS AND HUMANE ORGANIZATIONS ARE FACED WITH BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP THEIR PETS. IT WOULD ALSO HELP PETS GET THE CARE THEY NEED SUCH AS ANNUAL VACCINATONS AND ESPECIALLY SPAYING/NEUTERING WHICH WOULD ALSO LOWER SHELTER & HUMANE ORGANIZATION COSTS BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF KITTENS/PUPPIES.
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