Legal Battle: Can You Claim Your Dog as a Tax Dependent?

If hefty vet bills, daycare fees, and pet food expenses have you wondering if your furry friend qualifies as a dependent, you’re not alone. One bold attorney is actually putting this question to the test in court.

In December 2025, New York attorney Amanda Reynolds filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the IRS, challenging the government's unwillingness to recognize her eight-year-old golden retriever, Finnegan, as a legal dependent for tax purposes.

The lawsuit might seem peculiar, rubbing shoulders with the surreal, yet it underscores a question that resonates with many taxpayers: Can pet expenses ever be deducted? And if the IRS says no, why is that?

This post explores the case details, IRS rules, and the few instances where tax relief is available for pet-related costs.

The Lawsuit: “Proving Dependency in the Eyes of the Law”

A pressing part of Reynolds’ claim is that Finnegan fulfills the IRS criteria for dependent status because:

he resides with her full-time,
he lacks personal income, and
his support costs her over $5,000 annually for necessities like food, medical care, and daycare.

In a news report, Reynolds emphatically states, “For all intents and purposes, Finnegan is like a daughter, and is definitely a ‘dependent.’”

Reynolds leverages constitutional arguments as well, asserting that the current tax provisions are discriminatory based on species (an Equal Protection allegation) and that the exclusion of pets as dependents amounts to an unlawful “taking” (citing the Fifth Amendment).

Where the Legal Proceedings Stand

Currently residing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, this case is in a waiting pattern.

A judge has approved a stay on discovery (halting the evidence swap), as the IRS readies a motion to reject the case.

In the court's order, the lawsuit raises a “novel but significant question” regarding animal dependents under tax laws. However, the court also hints at formidable challenges, noting the government's pointing out the claims as “appearing meritless.”

To summarize: the litigation is genuine, it has garnered attention, but success in court is skeptical.

Why Pets Don’t Meet Dependent Criteria in Tax Law

The crux of the challenge lies in the tax law’s definition of dependents as “individuals.”

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 152, dependents are defined either as a “qualifying child” or “qualifying relative.” The repeated usage of “individual” traditionally refers to humans.

Ready to leap?

Our team is standing by to help!

Reach out now

This is the reason IRS documentation and processes don’t allow submitting a pet as a dependent. The benefits linked to dependents are meticulously formulated around familial and social human relations, requiring Social Security or other taxpayer identification numbers.

While Reynolds argues Finnegan satisfies the functional dependency criteria, the law doesn’t recognize animals as dependents under the term “individuals.”

Existing Tax Benefits for Pet-Related Costs

Despite the prohibition on deducting typical pet expenses, there are exceptions with potential tax relief. This section offers practical tax tips your audience can utilize.

1) Service Animals as Deductible Medical Expenses

If an animal serves as a trained service animal aiding a disability, its costs may qualify as medical expenses when itemized.

According to the IRS, deductible medical costs must surpass the given AGI threshold, with expenses covering acquisition, training, and upkeep of a service animal eligible if they derive from medical necessity.

Key insight for readers: emotional support animals generally do not qualify as service animals under IRS rules; service animals must perform specific disability-related tasks.

2) Business-Related Animals as Deductible Expenses

Animals can sometimes fit into a business context, such as:

a guard dog for business security, or
animals employed for pest control operations.

In these scenarios, related maintenance costs can be classified as ordinary business expenses, provided there is proper documentation and a valid business purpose.

3) Foster Animals and Charitable Contributions

Taxpayers fostering pets for recognized organizations may deduct certain unreimbursed expenses as charitable donations—adhering to strict regulations and documentation.

Conclusion for Taxpayers

Though the lawsuit tugs at a shared sentiment because pets are a part of many families, tax regulations are dictated by legal definitions, not feelings.

In brief:

Pets cannot be listed as dependents on federal tax returns.
Regular pet expenses like food, wellness, and non-business grooming, remain non-deductible personal costs.
Tax deductions for animals exist under limited terms, such as with service animals, certain business animals, and occasionally foster care contributions.

While the outcome of the Reynolds case isn't anticipated to alter IRS standards, it sheds light on the growing role of pets in household dynamics and the stark separation between sentiment and statutory regulations. Additionally, this case serves as a reminder: always verify what the IRS acknowledges for deductions, rather than assuming eligibility.

Ready to leap?

Our team is standing by to help!

Reach out now

Share this article...

Facebook

Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Pocket Reddit Email

Sign up for our newsletter.

Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .