Some New Jersey pet owners may soon qualify for a tax credit worth up to $900 annually under legislation introduced by Republican state Assemblyman Alex Sauickie to offset costs associated with caring for dogs and cats.
The measure, unveiled on May 7, would provide a $300 credit for routine expenses such as food, crates, leashes, litter boxes, collars, grooming supplies and toys. It would also allow up to $600 for veterinary services including annual exams, medications, emergency care and diagnostic testing, bringing the maximum annual benefit to $900 per taxpayer.
Sauickie said the proposal addresses the broader affordability challenges facing residents. “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.
The assemblyman noted that the credit would reach a wide range of households. “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 added.
According to a 2025 Chewy report, annual dog ownership costs range from $1,280 to more than $9,000 depending on the animal’s size, health and specific care requirements. A separate 2024 MarketWatch study placed New Jersey as the fourth most expensive state for pet ownership, with lifetime costs for a dog averaging $32,947.
Residents seeking the credit would need to attach proof of pet ownership and itemized receipts for qualifying expenses when filing state tax returns. The legislation covers both dogs and cats and applies only to expenses incurred within the tax year.
The bill must still clear votes in both the state Assembly and Senate before reaching the governor’s desk for consideration. No timeline for committee hearings has been announced.
Pet ownership expenses have drawn increasing attention from lawmakers in high-cost states as veterinary fees and supply prices have risen steadily in recent years. New Jersey’s proposal stands out for its direct tax-credit approach rather than deductions or rebates.
Sauickie did not respond to additional questions from The Post about potential revenue impact or how the credit would be administered by the state Division of Taxation.
Supporters argue the measure would provide meaningful relief without creating new government programs, while critics of similar past proposals have questioned whether tax credits for pets divert resources from other priorities such as housing or child care.
If enacted, the credit would mark one of the more generous state-level benefits for pet owners in the country. Documentation requirements would likely mirror those used for other itemized credits, though the precise verification process remains to be defined in regulations.
Advocates for animal welfare have not yet issued formal positions on the legislation. The bill’s progress will depend on support from both parties in a legislature that has historically moved slowly on tax-credit expansions.
State budget officials have not released estimates of how many taxpayers might claim the credit or its total fiscal cost. Such projections typically accompany bills once they advance to committee.