Therapy Dog, an allowable expense?

[Angelic]

My wife is a private practice mental health counsellor. She bought a dog to use in her practice as a therapy dog, this has proven very successful in helping clients with their problems. Is any of the expense in buying/keeping the dog allowable for tax purposes

Thank you

 

[Adam93]

Is it wholly and exclusively for business purposes? (i.e. are you going to put your dog in your stationery draw on Friday night and get him/her back out on Monday morning?).

Don't forget to add your dog to your payroll either!

 

[Mr D]

I would have thought that would be a justified expense for that business.

Your accountant should be able to check and make sure.

 

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I think for all intents and purposes it would be hard to argue to HMIT that the dog isn't also just a personal pet. I think it would be reasonable to expense the provision of some food, a bed etc. for the dog at the place of work if there is a separate office but if your wife operates from home then I would say duality of purpose would bite.

 

[Angelic]

Our accountant has said that as the dog is also a pet the cost of buying the dog and expenses like food, vets fees, etc. can not be claimed as an expense for tax purposes.

 

[Adam93]

I agree with your accountant - he gave you the answer you don't want to hear but it is the correct one.

I have used this saying before, but never has it been more appropriate - don't let the tax tail wag the dog.

There are plenty of puns in this.

 

[STDFR33]

It could be allowable but it depends on the facts.

The fact you describe that the dog will also be your pet, fails the test straight away though, I'm afraid.

 

[Mr D]

Unfortunately a dog cannot be ignored outside working hours.

 

[STDFR33]

Unfortunately a dog cannot be ignored outside working hours.

What's your point?

 

[billybob99]

Yes it is.

Who's asking nowadays anyway.

Get a couple of them if you must.

I got a therapy snake and a few therapy pups.

 

[Mr D]

What's your point?

Someone has to take care of the dog. Food, shelter, vet costs, grooming, walks / clearing up etc.

 

[Financial-Modeller]

Guard dog?

 

[Energise Accounting]

If the dog has been professionally trained for the purpose of a therapy dog. There could be a argument, similar to guard dogs. But on balance of your post i would say definitely not.

 

[SteveHa]

Have a read of https://www.taxation.co.uk/articles/2007-04-05-4869-dog-and-duck

 

[KAC]

Nothing to do with tax deductibility but your wife may be interested in this article. More up to date info here.

There is no doubt that therapy dogs can have a very positive effect on individuals with mental health problems. For many years we used to volunteer with our dogs at both an Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit and at a Secure Forensic Psychiatric Unit. Their visits were looked forward to and had a calming effect on many of the residents.

Tell your wife to stick with the benefits provided by a therapy dog even if she can't get a tax deduction

 

[estwig]

My Granddaughters are very helpful, pour you a lovely glass of lemonade and always share their sweets.

It's either this or sweeping chimneys.

*Watching with interest.

 

[Angelic]

Thank for your replies, under severe pressure from my wife our accountant contacted HMRC, they responded that we can claim for part of the expenses in buying and keeping the dog.

 

[Angelic]

Nothing to do with tax deductibility but your wife may be interested in this article. More up to date info here.

There is no doubt that therapy dogs can have a very positive effect on individuals with mental health problems. For many years we used to volunteer with our dogs at both an Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit and at a Secure Forensic Psychiatric Unit. Their visits were looked forward to and had a calming effect on many of the residents.

Tell your wife to stick with the benefits provided by a therapy dog even if she can't get a tax deduction

The dog has been a great help for many of my wife's clients, he is too young to be trained but he has a calming effect at puts clients at their ease.

 

[KAC]

Thank for your replies, under severe pressure from my wife our accountant contacted HMRC, they responded that we can claim for part of the expenses in buying and keeping the dog.

I hope that you have that in writing
Can't see the logic of a partial claim. It's either allowable or it isn't and because of the nature of what you are claiming, cannot see how it can be allowable. See post from @TheCyclingProgrammer above.

 

[Karimbo]

if it was wholly and exclusively for the business, you would have rented the dog for sessions, or referred patients to a dog petting zoo or something.

Or if it was purely for the benefit of your patients, would you patients be allowed to take the dog home with them?

Livestock can be treated as commodity, but the way you have described it seems like it serves a dual purpose as a personal pet which has a bonus quality which makes it useful for therapy sessions.