Tax Cat To The Rescue!
You don’t just love your cat, you love all cats. In turn, they look to pay you back whenever they can. At the moment that means during tax season! There are many ways you can deduct the work you do with cats and charity from your taxes. Take a look at our tips below:
- As a true cat lover you must have made a donation or two to a non-profit rescue group. There are a lot of majors out there but don’t forget the little guy working locally with direct boots on the ground making a difference. Also, as someone who just went overseas to tackle the over-population problem in economically challenged countries, I can tell you first hand is the sights here are heart breaking! Consider donating to an organization working abroad doing the toughest work on the planet. And yes, kittens are super cute, but donate to TNR organizations as they are doing the most important foundational work of all, getting cats fixed prior to kittens ending up on the street! (Find a local TNR group via Alley Cat Allies Feral Friends Database) Shatervan Idesh, Heaven on Earth. You can put all of those direct donations under the charity section on Schedule A.
- Did you throw a fundraiser for your favorite organization? A wine tasting event? A car wash? It doesn’t matter what it was, if you were raising funds for nonprofit rescue you can deduct the out-of -pocket cost related to the fundraiser. Kinda makes you want to start making signs for a bake sale, doesn’t it?
- As a supporter of homeless cats, it probably isn’t just your money you are giving; you give of your time and talents as a volunteer. Good for you! If you volunteer for a 501C3, keep track of your mileage as a volunteer. You maybe able to deduct your mileage at the rate of 14 cents a mile. It is less than that for business mileage deduction but keep track, and it could add up! Also, take stock of what you did bought as a volunteers. Do you buy an organization t-shirt to wear during your shift? It’s deductible. Did you buy new feather toys for the latest litter of kittens? Deductible
- If you are the real hands on type you most likely are a foster parent. You can deduct the cost of pet food, supplies, and vet bills if you are fostering for a 501c3 and you have not been reimbursed by the charity. This will also be put on your Schedule A charity section.
- There is no better reason to go out and get a few working cats from your local rescue who provide such mousers, as they can actually be deducted as pest control as a business expense. What a great way to save a life, be rat free and get a deduction. Why not get a working cat for your pest problem?
We know that none of us do it for the tax break or even the karma in our next lives – we do it for the love of cats – but a little tax relief never hurt anyone. Besides, we are certain you will end up spending your refund on more cats.
