NEW YORK, NEW YORK — A New York attorney has filed a federal lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service seeking to have household pets recognized as legal dependents for tax purposes, a case that could test the boundaries of federal tax law and how dependents are defined.
Amanda Reynolds, joined in the suit by her 8-year-old golden retriever, Finnegan, argues that her dog meets the IRS’s own criteria for dependency. According to the complaint, Finnegan relies entirely on Reynolds for food, shelter, medical care, training, and transportation, has no independent income, lives exclusively with her, and incurs more than $5,000 in annual expenses. The IRS currently classifies pets as property, not dependents.
Reynolds has said that designation fails to reflect the reality of modern pet ownership. She contends that if certain animals, such as service dogs, can already qualify for tax-related benefits, the broader framework unfairly excludes other animals that function as dependents in every practical sense. While acknowledging the unusual nature of the lawsuit, Reynolds maintains that the case raises legitimate questions about equity and consistency in the tax code.
The case is being heard in the Eastern District of New York. U.S. District Judge James M. Wicks has granted a request to pause discovery as the IRS is expected to file a motion to dismiss. Legal experts say the lawsuit faces long odds but could spark wider debate about how tax law treats caregiving costs outside traditional family structures.
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