California state assemblyman introduces bill to create tax deductions for pet adoption

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While lots of folks (and at least one dog) are fuming about taxation today, one California state assemblyman is working to ease the tax burden for pet adopters.

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita) has introduced Assembly Bill 233, which would offer tax deductions to those who adopt pets from government-run shelters. The bill, if passed, would allow adopters to write off up to $100 in adoption fees. From Sacramento’s CBS 13:

With 800,000 animals taken in and cared for each year in California at a cost of $250 million, Assemblyman Smyth says the tax deduction will only cost an additional $1 million to the state, which would pay for itself in the first 800 or so animals. While they’re hoping to increase adoptions, they’ve decreased the proposed write-off amount. It was originally to be capped at $300. Now, it will be proposed at just $100. ...

California income tax ranges from 1% to 10.3%. Writing off $100 would save that taxpayer between $1 and $10.30, which is not enough to even buy a bag of pet food.

The savings might not buy much, but here’s hoping any little bit will help pets like Gable (ID# A1019596) here. He’s a 1-year-old unneutered male Chihuahua mix at the East Valley animal shelter in Van Nuys. For more information on him or any other dog, cat or rabbit at the L.A. city shelters, call 888-4LAPET1.

--Lindsay Barnett