A New York lawyer has filed a lawsuit asking the IRS to let her claim her golden retriever, Finnegan, as a dependent on her taxes. Amanda Reynolds argues that her dog meets all the requirements to be a dependent except for being human. She says Finnegan relies on her completely for food, shelter, and medical care, just like a child would. Reynolds wants to deduct over $5,000 in yearly pet care costs and even claim tax credits.
She argues it’s unfair that service animals get tax breaks but regular pets don’t. The IRS says pets are property, not dependents, and the tax code defines dependents as humans. Legal experts say the case is unlikely to succeed, but pet lovers are watching closely. A hearing could happen in early 2026 if the case survives an IRS motion to dismiss.
Source: Forbes
