My Dog was attacked on my property by another dog which was not on a leash. Thats a whole nother topic that has been handled. But I did incure about $100 in vet bills. When I file my 2006 income taxes, could I legally include this in the loss /casualty section?
2006-06-17 18:03:27 · 5 answers · asked by when and how 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
It was such a small incident that it wasn't even worth taking the owners to court, but animal control was notified and they were fined or warned. My gut feeling is that my dog is my property and my propery was damaged. I don't feel that it matters that the dog happens to be a living animal? Interesting question though...
2006-06-17 18:16:17 · update #1
You can not claim any deductions having any thing having to do with pets. Even if they have SSN's. I work at a tax firm. There are a lot of deductions taxpayers can take but definitely not this one!!!
2006-06-18 05:51:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim such loss. According to the IRS:
Topic 507 - Casualty and Theft Losses
If your property is destroyed, damaged, or stolen due to casualty or theft, you may be entitled to a tax deduction. A casualty is the damage, destruction, or loss of property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, and unusual.
A sudden event is one that is swift, not gradual or progressive. It does not include damage from events such as termite infestation or deterioration from normal wind and weather.
An unexpected event is one that is ordinarily unanticipated and unintended.
An unusual event is one that is not a day–to–day occurrence and that is not typical of the activity in which you are engaged. Examples of casualties include car accidents, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and vandalism.
More info can be found under IRS Publication 547.
At any rate, you should be able to "recoup" the $100 through small claims court, if the other dog owner doesn't give you the $$.
2006-06-18 01:01:43 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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My initial thought on this would be .... NO ... UNLESS you are
in the 'business' of raising dogs, etc.
Just because you had vet bills for a dog ... regardless the reason,
I don't think qualifies for any tax break. It it 'was', I'm sure you
would see all types of reference to it in the media every year for
the average pet owner.
Since I'm not a Tax professional, I can only give you my gut feeling on it.
Just too bad the owner of the other dog wasn't made liable to
repay for the expenses incurred.
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2006-06-17 18:12:24 · answer #3 · answered by Consultant 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theoretically, it is a casualty loss, but the first $100 of a non-business casualty loss is not deductible, and then you have an additional threshold of 10% of your AGI. And then you have to itemize deductions. So it doesn't sound like you will get a tax reduction from this.
2006-06-17 19:25:03 · answer #4 · answered by NotEasilyFooled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so because your dog is not listed as a dependent on your taxes.
2006-06-17 18:06:18 · answer #5 · answered by ~Genie~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋