Claiming doggy dependants.
Some New Jersey pet owners could soon cash in on a $900 tax break to help cover food, veterinary care, and other costs for their four-legged friends under a new proposed bill.
The proposed measure, sponsored by Republican state Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, would hand dog and cat owners a $300 tax credit for everyday pet expenses and up to $600 for veterinary bills, for a maximum annual money-back break of $900 per taxpayer.
Sauickie insists his pet-focused bill would help ease costs statewide.
“I don’t think there’s an argument on that on either side, whether you’re one political party or another – I think it’s pretty obvious that this state is in an affordability crisis and it’s becoming harder and harder to make ends meet,” he told NJ.com.
“A bill like this goes across a lot of different demographics and age groups. It impacts seniors, it impacts middle-income families, it impacts singles that may just have a pet as companionship.”
Sauickie did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
A 2025 Chewy report found dog ownership can cost anywhere from $1,280 to more than $9,000 a year, depending on the pup’s size, health and care needs.
In New Jersey – rated the fourth most expensive state to house a pet – dog owners fork over an average of $32,947 over the animal’s lifetime, according to a 2024 MarketWatch study.
Under Sauickie’s proposed bill, covered pet expenses would include food, crates, leashes, litter boxes, collars, grooming supplies and toys, along with annual exams, medications, emergency care and diagnostic testing.
Garden State residents hoping to cash in on the cushy tax credit would need to submit documentation with their tax return proving pet ownership, as well as receipts for eligible expenses and veterinary costs.
The bill, which Sauickie introduced on May 7, needs to be approved by both the state Senate and Assembly before it lands on the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
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