Animal fostering and Fed. taxes

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Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 11:58:31 GMT -5

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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2013 11:58:31 GMT -5

Hey animal rescue folks, did you know you can claim your fosters on your taxes as well as any dedicated space you use specifically for fostering?

Pretty cool.

dogingtonpost.com/filing-taxes-dont-forget-to-claim-your-foster-dog/

Filing Taxes? Don’t Forget to Claim Your Foster Dog!

Written on 01/03/2013 by Brandy Arnold in Dogs & Laws, Front Page News
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In a groundbreaking victory for animal rescuers around the country, one California animal foster fought the Internal Revenue Service in court – and won! As a result of Van Dusen v. Commissioner, animal rescuers nationwide that are fostering dogs and/or cats for approved charities may claim the expenses during tax time.

An approved charity is one that is recognized by the IRS with the 501(c)(3) designation as a Not-for-Profit organization. Fostering expenses eligible for deduction are food, medicines, veterinary bills, crates, garbage bags, and the like. Even a portion of your utilities can be considered expenses as long as a a specific area of your home is only used for the care of the animals and nothing else.

In addition to animal rescue, the new tax laws apply to all volunteer expenses related to charitable work for an approved organization.

If you foster a dog (or many dogs!) make sure to save any and all receipts, and, if expenses add up to over $250 for the year, obtain a letter from the charitable organization that confirms your volunteer or foster status.

The Humane Society has said that their volunteers spend, on average, between $2,000 and $15,000 each year on out-of-pocket expenses related to fostering animals. “This is the first time the court has addressed these expenses,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, chief counsel of the Humane Society. “Now we want to get the word out.”

There are currently more than 1.5million charitable organizations recognized by the IRS, with volunteers spending millions of dollars out of pocket to support them. Finally, those volunteers have an opportunity to be rewarded for their generosity and kindness.

Are you an animal foster? Have you ever claimed those expenses on your tax filing? Share your experiences with us below!

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rosetyler Junior Member Posts: 813	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 12:03:37 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rosetyler on Jan 8, 2013 12:03:37 GMT -5 Shoot, I don't have a clue how to even begin figuring out what we spent last year. That's cool, though!
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limey Junior Member Posts: 910	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 12:05:08 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by limey on Jan 8, 2013 12:05:08 GMT -5 Oh man! I wish this had been in place a decade ago. I was able to use miles for driving to and from volunteering and meeting people to show the fosters. I guess that is something.
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Deleted Posts: 0	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 12:05:15 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2013 12:05:15 GMT -5 At least you'll know to save all your receipts this year. I am thisclose to getting DH to agree to foster. Once P gets better anyway.
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LoveTrains Elder Posts: 14,889 Likes: 6,868	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 12:06:42 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by LoveTrains on Jan 8, 2013 12:06:42 GMT -5 Yes, thanks for sharing! Excellent to post this. I think we might consider fostering again this summer. I miss my little foster. I kind of wish we kept him.
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rosetyler Junior Member Posts: 813	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 12:07:00 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rosetyler on Jan 8, 2013 12:07:00 GMT -5 It's so fun and rewarding! We just got a batch of pictures from the "mom" of our first foster, he's doing so well. I'm sad, we can't foster now that we're renting, but I'd love to do it again in the future.
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rosetyler Junior Member Posts: 813	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 12:18:11 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rosetyler on Jan 8, 2013 12:18:11 GMT -5 I'm just waiting for them to count pets as deductions, just like kids Could happen, right? Right?!
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suburbanzookeeper
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Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 13:00:12 GMT -5

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Post by suburbanzookeeper on Jan 8, 2013 13:00:12 GMT -5

Yes, I love this, our rescue has been doing this for years as a charitable donation. We kept a big folder with all of our receipts (food, supplies, bottle feeding costs, etc) in addition to an excel sheet. When we fostered new litters we added the additional cost of electricity and water (heating lamps or running a space heater, cost to wash puppy bedding 1-2x a day, etc) It made it so much easier. Don't forget your mileage to/from events or things required for your fosters (vet appointments, shelter runs, meeting adoptive families). I keep a notebook in the car and try to remember to jot it down.

The first year I kept track I did a double-take when I saw how much we were spending to foster but the tax deduction is nice.

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B: 9/2009 ♥ T: 3/2013

Kore Elder Makeup Mod Posts: 11,249 Likes: 5,271	Animal fostering and Fed. taxes Jan 8, 2013 13:11:06 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Kore on Jan 8, 2013 13:11:06 GMT -5 I def need to save receipts this year! I spend a ton on cat food & drive a lot of miles attending events with my fosters.
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