I have a service dog. What expenses can be deducted

[jimparkhurst00]

What receipts are needed

[xmasbaby0]

Is the service dog an actual certified service dog who helps with a physical disability like vision, hearing problems, seizure disorder, etc. ??  Not a an "emotional support" animal?    If your dog is truly a service animal then you can enter expenses for the dog as medical expenses.

MEDICAL EXPENSES

The medical expense deduction has to meet a rather large threshold before it can affect your return. The amount of medical (including dental, vision, etc.)  expenses that will count toward itemization is the amount that is OVER 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You should only enter the amount that you paid in 2024—do not include any amounts that were covered by insurance or that are still outstanding.  Of course, your medical expenses plus your other itemized deductions still have to exceed your standard deduction before you will see a difference in your tax due or refund.

To enter your medical expenses go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Medical>Medical Expenses

2024 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY            $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $29,200    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $21,900    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/

[MinhT1]

The IRS says:

You can include in medical expenses the costs of buying, training, and maintaining a guide dog or other service animal to assist a visually impaired or hearing disabled person or a person with other physical disabilities. In general, this includes any costs, such as food, grooming, and veterinary care, incurred in maintaining the health and vitality of the service animal so that it may perform its duties.

To deduct these expenses, you'll need to keep receipts showing the purchase of the goods and services claimed. Just keep the receipts in your tax records. You do not need to attach them to your tax return.

Please read IRS Publication 502 Medical and Dental Expenses Page 8

[xmasbaby0]

If the IRS agrees that your pet qualifies as a service animal, you can write off many of your service animal's expenses, including:

• Food
• Grooming
• Training
• The cost of buying the animal
• Vet bills and medical care
• Boarding
• Supplies like leashes, vests, or harnesses
• Other miscellaneous costs