What expenses can kennel owners write off?

Jeff Davis. | https://gundogcentral.com | All Hunting Articles
Posted 04/01/2024




Maybe you accidentally started a dog-related business pursuing a hobby, or maybe owning a kennel has been your lifelong dream, either way, you can be sure Uncle Sam wants his fair share of your hard work. My blood always starts to boil this time of year, especially when the government reaches into my pocket and pulls out a whopping 33% of what I earned the past year. After being gouged by the IRS a few times, I've tried to do a better job of keeping up with expenses. I'd much rather invest my hard-earned money back into my business as an expense than let the government have it.



There's nothing I dread more than tax season. Admittedly, I haven't been the best at keeping records of business expenses. I'm always in a rush to compile what I've spent at the last minute to get it to my accountant before the deadline. If you're like me, putting things off until the last possible minute, then it's not too late to get your expenses together. With the tax deadline quickly approaching, here are a few things you can consider deducting from your taxes if you're running a for-profit kennel.

If you own a dog kennel, you may be able to write off some expenses related to running your business. Operating expenses such as rent or mortgage for your facility, insurance, and maintenance costs. A fraction of your utilities can be expensed if you used water used to clean out dog pens, power to run heating lamps for puppies, and cell phone service to talk to customers.

You can write off costs associated with caring for the dogs, including food, registration, bedding, grooming supplies, and veterinary care. Worming, immunization, tick prevention, and other medications can be included in your expenses, as well as that premium dog food you buy to keep your dog's performing at high levels. Dog training equipment like tracking collars, bird launchers, and training birds. Stud fees, artificial insemination fees, storage fees for frozen semen, and procurement of new breeding stock are all types of expenses you can write off.

Staff salaries or wages, including payments to trainers, handlers, groomers, and kennel attendants. You can pay your spouse, children, and grandchildren up to $600 per year to help clean kennels without issuing 1099's or having them claim it on their taxes.

Marketing and advertising expenses to promote your kennel, this includes money spent at Gundog Central on Kennel Accounts, Banner Ads, and Website fees.



Depreciation of assets such as kennels, cages, grooming equipment, ATVs, Dog Trailers, and Vehicles. If you've expanded your kennel and added a few more runs, make sure to expense that off.

You can also write off Business-related travel expenses, such as mileage transporting dogs, attending dog shows and field trials. Be sure to keep a mileage log to turn in to your accountant.

Professional services such as accounting or legal fees can also be deducted.

It's essential to keep detailed records and consult with a tax professional to ensure you're accurately deducting expenses and complying with tax laws.

 


About the Author : Jeff Davis.
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When I created Gundog Central, it was to help people place their hunting dogs in hunting homes. I want everyone to be successfully using the site, so l thought I'd try my hand at creating a few articles filled with knowledge and lessons I've learned over the years running this site. I'm certainly not a writer and I'm a terrible speller, and although I promise to make an effort to proofread and spellcheck these articles before I post them, you'll most likely find them riddled with grammatical errors. I don't know if I'd even really call them articles per say, more of a collection of tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Gundog Central. Tips on how to sell your dogs and tricks on how to use the site. I have no plans to write any other articles, as I have great writers already contributing content to the site. My focus with these "articles" will be geared towards helping you be successful selling your dogs and marketing your kennel and services on Gundog Central.

 
 

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