Can you claim a pet as an dependent on taxes?

Question

Can you claim a pet as an dependent on taxes?

Answer 1

Back before SS# were required, lots of people claimed their pets, their trees, or whatever else they wanted to claim... the number of dependents dropped a lot once SS# were required for dependents... so unless your pet has a SS#, it won't be allowed ;)

Answer 2

The short easy answer is no.  The answers above give the technical reason: you must list a social security number for all dependents on your tax forms.

Legally though, dependents are explicitly defined within the Internal Revenue Code:

26 U.S.C.A. § 152. Dependent defined

(a)  In general

For purposes of this subtitle, the term “dependent” means—

(1) a qualifying child, or

(2) a qualifying relative.

For much more explicit exceptions/definitions, the entire section can be found at Cornell University's online U.S. Code site:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/search...

Answer 3

Not legally.  Besides, you need a SS# these days for all dependents.

Answer 4

good question i wish lol

Answer 5

thats obserb.

Answer 6

If you can get SSN or tax ID.

Evidently NO.