Bill > S09808

This bill proposes to amend the tax law by adding a new subsection that allows individual taxpayers to claim a credit for certain household pet expenses, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1st of the year following its enactment. This credit is for the actual cost of owning up to two household pets, with a maximum of $150 per pet annually for everyday expenses like food and toys, and $300 per pet annually for medical or veterinary expenses, totaling a maximum of $900 per taxpayer per year. A "household pet" is defined as a dog or cat kept primarily for companionship, not housed in animal hospitals, research facilities, or bred for profit by licensed dealers, and excludes police or detection dogs. The "actual cost of pet ownership" includes both medical/veterinary bills and everyday necessities. Taxpayers may need to provide proof of ownership and expenses to claim this credit, which applies to the taxable year in which the pet is owned.