What's happening
This bill creates a tax credit for individuals covering up to 50% of veterinary service costs for companion animals, with a $2,000 maximum.
Why it matters
Reduces the financial barrier to essential veterinary care. , potentially encouraging more individuals to seek regular and emergency treatment for their pets, which could improve animal welfare and public health (e.g., controlling preventable diseases through vaccination).
Defines eligible expenses broadly. , covering not just routine checkups and vaccinations, but also medical treatments, surgeries, dental care, and microchipping, making the credit applicable to a wide range of pet health needs.
Requires documentation from a licensed New York veterinarian. , ensuring that only legitimate and local veterinary services qualify, which could help support local veterinary practices and reduce fraudulent claims.
Allows unused tax credit amounts to be carried forward to future years. , offering continued financial relief to taxpayers whose veterinary expenses exceed their annual tax liability, and making the benefit accessible even to those with lower taxable incomes.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Tax Credit for Vet Bills
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Pet Vet Tax Credit
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5449
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 29, 2017
Introduced by Sen. TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to establishing a tax credit for the cost of veterinary services; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 606 of the tax law is amended by adding a new subsection (ccc) to read as follows:
(ccc) Credit for veterinary services. (1) General. An individual taxpayer shall be allowed a credit for taxable years beginning on or after January first, two thousand seventeen against the tax imposed by this article for the cost of veterinary services performed on companion animals as defined in subdivision five of section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets law during the taxable year. The amount of the credit shall be for fifty percent of the actual cost of such veterinary services, but shall not exceed a maximum credit of two thousand dollars.
(2) Definition. The term "cost of veterinary services" shall mean costs paid to a licensed veterinarian for medical services including, but not limited to, checkups, vaccinations, subcutaneous insertions of a microchip intended to be used to identify an animal, and the diagnosing, treating, operating, or prescribing for any animal disease, pain, injury, deformity or dental or physical condition. Provided, however, any amounts which have been paid for or reimbursed by another party shall be excluded from the definition of "cost of veterinary services".
(3) Eligibility. Such taxpayer shall provide an actual receipt or copy thereof from any licensed veterinarian of this state showing the actual cost of such veterinary service.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10803-01-7
S. 5449 2
(4) When credit allowed. The credit provided for in this subsection shall be allowed with respect to the taxable year, commencing after January first, two thousand seventeen, in which the veterinary service is rendered.
(5) Carryovers. If the amount of credit allowable under this subsection shall exceed the taxpayer's tax for such year, the excess may be carried over to the following year or years and may be deducted from the taxpayer's tax for such year or years.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2017; provided, however, this act shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2023.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to establishing a tax credit for the cost of veterinary services; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
This bill would allow dog and cat owners in New York State to claim a state income-tax credit of 50 percent of their qualified veterinary medical expenses up to $2,000 per year.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section 606 of the law by adding a new subsection (ccc) creating the credit, and also establishing the credit's parameters.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The American Pet Products Association estimates that routine vet visits cost an average of $235 for dogs and $196 for cats annually, while more complex procedures can cost owners thousands of dollars. Often the difficult choice for pet owners comes down to either paying for treatment or euthanasia.
This bill is intended to ease the financial costs that come with pet ownership by providing dog and cat owners with a state income-tax credit of 50 percent of their qualified veterinary medical expenses, not to exceed a maximum credit of $2,000 per year. Qualifying expenses are those incurred for medical-related expenses paid to a licensed veterinarian, such as checkups, vaccinations, microchips, surgeries, and prescriptions.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
This would provide financial incentive for pet owners to get their pets treated at veterinary clinics and hospitals.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.