Child-Free by Choice

This is a pet issue but I thought some people here might be interested in this, since there seem to be a lot of pet lovers on this board. Would you support it a bill like this? Do you think it would even out the financial interests of the childed vs. the child-free? Thoughts?

Would you support a tax break for pet care?

In the midst of all the heated conversation about health-care reform, a Michigan Congressman is sponsoring a bill to give pet owners a tax break for pet care.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mi) has introduced H.R. 3501 to create a deduction of up to $3,500 on federal tax returns for the care of "qualified" pets, defined as "legally owned, domesticated, and live animals." Animals used for business purposes–say, a dog that helps round up sheep or a cat filmed in TV commercials–aren't covered. The bill says qualified care includes veterinary care, though it doesn't mention what else (pet sitting? chew toys?) would be included. There's no apparent provision for people who don't itemize and utilize the standard deduction instead. And there's no word on whether the pet needs a valid Social Security number. (Just kidding.)

A main finding to support the proposed deduction is that the human-animal bond "has been shown to have positive effects upon people's emotions and physical well-being," in the bill's words. The title of the bill is the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act.

The bill doesn't mention the growing expense of medical care for pets, though ostensibly that's a major impetus for it. Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently discussed ways to save on pet expenses, regardless of whether this bill becomes law.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/money/2009/10/tax-cut-for-pet-owners-care-expenses-animal-veterinary-costs-congress-representativ

This is the first I've heard about this bill and I have mixed feelings about it. Of course I would love a deduction for the money I spend on pet care! I have two dogs and I would be afraid to tally the amount of money I've spent on them in their lifetimes so far and they are overall healthy animals.

One concern would be how to verify expenditures and prevent fraud. What's to keep someone from claiming pets they don't really own or care for? What about people who own animals but don't take adequate care of them? Who determines what defines a pet? If I keep a dog chained up in the backyard and get it minimal vet care, do I deserve the same deduction as someone who treats their pet as a member of the family and spares no expense in their comfort and care?

I guess some of those same questions apply to parents taking deductions for their children.

I also don't see it as a way to balance the disparity between CF and parents because many households have both children *and* pets so those people would still be getting more deductions than CF, even those with pets.

RoseAnn

I would be against such a bill simple because you would have people who aren't interested in animals rushing out to get a pet simply for the deduction, not because they want a pet. I think that you would see the number of pets being abused and abandoned greatly increased along with the shelters getting burdened with all of these pets who were gotten in haste.

Also, IMO, having pets is a luxury, as much as I love my kitties, I admit that it's a luxury to have them and via federal law pets are considered property of the owners and nothing more. A person can already buy health insurance for their pets to help pay for any medical cost that may come up, I only pay 400 a year for all four of our cats and that includes on checkup for each per year and most medical problems. I will say that prescription coverage is a little more and I don't have it for them, but it is available. If you can't afford 100 dollars a year for health insurance on an animal or afford to cover medical costs, than you shouldn't get the pet. Sorry, I know that sucks for some, but that's just how it is.  If you want a pet and can't afford one then you need to get a better job/work more hours/ or save up some money.