Tax Season

Got a dog? Don't miss out on these IRS tax deductions: See If you qualify

Nearly half of American households own a dog and there are tax benefits available for owners.

Temilade Adelaja

A journalist, soccer fanatic and Shrewsbury Town fan, Will’s love for the game has withstood countless playoff final losses. After graduating from the University of Liverpool he wrote for a number of British publications before joining AS USA in 2020. His work focuses on the Premier League, LaLiga, MLS, Liga MX and the global game.

Update: Mar 22nd, 2025 10:44 EDT

Across the United States, more than 59 million households are dog owners. They are, by most measures, the nation’s favourite pet but they can be a very expensive member of the family.

The average household spends around $580 per year on veterinary care and it can be a major headache for owners. A study from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that only 28.2 percent of pet owners were satisfied with the cost of veterinary services.

But it’s not all outgoings, in some instances dogs can trigger certain tax benefits for owners. The majority of owners will not be eligible but for those entitled to the IRS deductions it could make a significant difference.

Service animal medical expenses

The biggest category of eligibility is for owners of a certified service animal, like a guide dog for the visually impaired. For these owners the costs of the guide dog may count as medical expenses, meaning that they are tax deductible.

The IRS allows expenses like veterinary care, training and maintenance for service animals used to help a legitimate medical condition.

Deductions for pet-related businesses

For most people, a dog is simply another member of the family. But if you use pets in a business - a security animal on a farm, a performer in a show - the cost of keeping the pet may be tax deductible.

Again, costs for veterinary care, training and maintenance may be filed as businesses expenses if they are necessary for work.

Foster pets may be a charitable contribution

If you choose to adopt an animal from a registered non-profit organisation you may be eligible for a charity deduction. In some cases the charity will cover the costs of veterinary care, training and maintenance, but if not they could be counted as a charitable contribution and therefore eligible for a deduction.

Pets moving expenses for active military

For the typical pet owner, moving costs are no longer tax deductible. However active duty military members, those who have to move due to a reassignment, can claim pet relocation costs as part of their moving expenses.

This will often include transportation fees but could also cover any health certifications needed for travel.

The difference between tax credits and deductions

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