Do you have a service dog or an emotional support animal? Can you deduct the expenses associated with their care on your tax return? In this article, we’ll cover how to determine if your service dog or emotional support animal is tax-deductible. We’ll also dive into the types of expenses that qualify for a deduction and what documentation you need to keep.
Are Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs Tax Deductible?
Most emotional support dogs are considered pets; therefore, they are not tax-deductible. However, if your emotional support dog is documented as a medical necessity, you may be able to deduct qualifying costs. Costs associated with guide dogs and other trained service animals are deductible as medical expenses on your individual income tax return. Having paperwork from your medical provider is essential when determining eligibility for a tax deduction.
What Types of Expenses Qualify for a Tax Deduction?
If your dog is a qualifying guide dog or service animal, there are certain costs you can deduct, including:
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Upfront purchase expense
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Training expenses
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Maintenance expenses, like food, grooming, and veterinary care
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Any other expense related to the health and vitality of the animal
Most expenses related to your service dog can qualify for a deduction. Think vitamins, collars, and leashes. If you can connect the cost to your service animal and medical condition, it qualifies for a deduction.
How to Claim Service Dog Expenses on Your Taxes
Qualifying guide dog and service animal expenses are deductible as medical expenses on Schedule A. This means you must itemize your deductions to be able to claim the expenses. For 2026, medical expenses are subject to a 7.5% Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) floor. Let’s say that your AGI is $100,000. Your medical expenses must exceed $7,500 to be tax-deductible. If you have $10,000 in eligible service dog expenses, you could potentially reduce your taxable income by $2,500.
Documentation Needed to Claim Service Dogs
Like any other component of your tax return, you need adequate documentation to support your expense claim. The IRS does not allow bank and credit card statements as substantiating expenses. Instead, you must have a receipt, invoice, or other document that outlines the cost, date of purchase, and the item being purchased.
For example, if you purchase a bag of dog food, you will need a receipt. A highlighted line on your credit card statement would not qualify as supporting documentation. To properly keep track of expenses, have a specific folder for your items. This could be a physical folder or an electronic folder, like in Google Drive. These receipts and invoices should be kept for at least three years, which is the amount of time the IRS can go back and audit your tax return.
Summary
Is your dog eligible for a tax deduction? If so, start keeping track of all expenses, including receipts and invoices. It’s also important to inform your tax preparer about your tax deductions. For more information about service animals, check out our other posts.