Amanda Reynolds, an attorney from New York, has filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of New York aiming to have her dog, Finnegan, recognized as a legal dependent for tax purposes.
Reynolds contends that Finnegan, her 8-year-old golden retriever, relies on her entirely for necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, training, and transportation.
The big picture: She argues the dog’s reliance and lack of independent income fit the IRS’s stated requirements for a dependent, despite pets currently being classified as property by the agency.
- Reynolds asserts that pets can have significant annual expenses – citing more than $5,000 in costs for Finnegan – and that excluding them as dependents is an unfair burden on taxpayers.
- The lawsuit highlights inconsistencies, noting certain pets like service animals can already receive some tax advantages.
- Reynolds maintains that the suit is neither “frivolous or meritless,” and views Finnegan akin to a child or dependent in her household.
State of play: Judge James M. Wicks, overseeing the case, has paused the discovery process as the IRS is expected to seek a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
