Deductibility of Therapy Dog

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  • S&D Associates
    Member
    • Jan 2008
    • 91

    #1

    Deductibility of Therapy Dog

    Are therapy dogs deductible by therapist who uses in practice? Are they an asset or expense and are the supplies deductible?
  • BOB W
    Senior Member
    • Jun 2005
    • 4061

    #2
    You may what to consider an allocation of any expense that may be allowed. Consider any special training or certification for the dog. Or is it just a personally owned dog that has mild "low key" friendly attitude...
    This post is for discussion purposes only and should be verified with other sources before actual use.

    Many times I post additional info on the post, Click on "message board" for updated content.

    Comment

    • Uncle Sam
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2006
      • 1462

      #3
      While I don't have a direct answer to your question perhaps this can guide you - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf - P. 46 - impairment related expenses.
      I can only surmise from that - that if the expenses to maintain the dog for the dog to perform its normal function(s) in the providing services to the therapist's services it should be deductible.
      Regarding the depreciation of the animal - sorry - can't help you.
      Uncle Sam, CPA, EA. ARA, NTPI Fellow

      Comment

      • Rapid Robert
        Senior Member
        • Oct 2015
        • 1983

        #4
        What kind of "therapy" are we talking about? Something that requires a medical license? There are many, many kinds of therapy. Business expenses must be ordinary and necessary in order to be tax deductible.

        It's hard to see how the dog could by 100% business use. (in line with "allocation" comment previously)

        A Chow Chow named Jo-Fi attended therapy sessions by Sigmund Freud: should today’s therapists have a canine assistant? How do clients feel about the dog in therapy sessions?
        "You said it, they'll never know the difference. Come on, we'll paint our way out!" - Moe Howard
        "That's enough! When you didn't know what you were talking about, you really had something! [to Curly]" -Moe Howard

        Comment

        • TAXNJ
          Senior Member
          • Jan 2007
          • 2106

          #5
          for more discussion:


          The IRS provides very few tax benefits related to pet ownership - with a few exceptions! This article outlines the write-offs associated with animals.

          Always cite your source for support to defend your opinion

          Comment

          • Lion
            Senior Member
            • Jun 2005
            • 4699

            #6
            Those little yippers create the need for therapy dogs.

            Comment

            • ATSMAN
              Senior Member
              • Jul 2013
              • 2415

              #7
              I have one client with a severe anxiety disorder and she has a doctor's prescription for a therapy dog!
              Taxes after all are the dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society. - FDR

              Comment

              • Rapid Robert
                Senior Member
                • Oct 2015
                • 1983

                #8
                Just to clarify and remind, the original question was about business expense deductions for a service provider, not personal medical deductions for an individual. Two very different things (different sections of the tax code).
                "You said it, they'll never know the difference. Come on, we'll paint our way out!" - Moe Howard
                "That's enough! When you didn't know what you were talking about, you really had something! [to Curly]" -Moe Howard

                Comment

                • ATSMAN
                  Senior Member
                  • Jul 2013
                  • 2415

                  #9
                  I believe dogs can be depreciated MACRS 7 yr schedule if it is used in the business for a business purpose. I believe that is how security dogs are treated for tax purpose.

                  The dog food would be consumable supplies.
                  Taxes after all are the dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society. - FDR

                  Comment

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