ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Having a pet may soon save you money on your taxes.
A bill currently in the House Ways and Means Committee offers a tax credit up to $3,500 for anyone who owns a “domesticated” pet.
You could claim a deduction on your taxes based on how much money you spend on “qualified pet care expenses.”
The bill does not currently outline what constitutes a “qualified pet care expense.” The bill’s sponsor, Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) said if the bill gains traction, details of the plan will have to be ironed out.
The proposal has been dubbed the HAPPY Act. It stands for Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years.
Naturally, people at a St. Petersburg dog park supported the bill.
“To hear that something like that was in the works right now, I was really impressed,” said Monique Heagey.
However, others don’t believe this is the wisest idea.
“I appreciate pets just like everybody else,” said Dave Leyland, in town from Kansas City, “but there is probably a limit we have to put on things like that. And I think it’s going a bit far.”
