Is my personal vehicle deductible for dog walking?

The business-use portion is deductible. If you use your car primarily for dog walking and personal errands, track business miles specifically. Use the standard mileage rate ($0.70/mile in 2025) or actual vehicle expenses.

I get paid through Rover — do I need to report that income?

Yes. Rover reports earnings on a 1099-K if you earn over $5,000 (2025 threshold). Regardless of whether you get a 1099, all income is taxable and must be reported on Schedule C.

Can I deduct my own dog's expenses?

Generally no — personal pets are not deductible even if they're well-trained. The exception is if you have a dog specifically trained as a guard dog or working animal for your business, which is rare for pet care providers.

Do I need to collect sales tax on dog walking services?

Sales tax rules for pet services vary by state. Most states do not tax dog walking services, but check your state's rules. Income taxes (federal and state) still apply to all earnings.

Schedule C · Self-Employed

Tax Write-Offs for Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters

Independent dog walkers, pet sitters, and pet care providers are self-employed. Whether you use Rover, Wag, or book clients directly, the platform fees, pet supplies, vehicle costs, and insurance you pay for your business are all deductible on Schedule C.

Avg. annual savings$1,600

Track My Dog Walker Write-Offs — $14/mo

Top 6 Tax Write-Offs for Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters

Vehicle & Mileage

100% deductible

Miles driven to pick up dogs, travel between client homes, and make supply runs are deductible at the 2025 IRS rate of $0.70/mile. Dog walkers who serve multiple clients per day can accumulate significant mileage deductions.

Schedule C, Line 9

Platform Service Fees

100% deductible

Rover and Wag take a commission from each booking. These platform fees reduce your net income and are deductible as a business expense — track them from your earnings statements.

Schedule C, Line 10

Pet Supplies & Equipment

100% deductible

Leashes, harnesses, waste bags, treats used for training, first aid supplies, carriers, and any equipment you purchase for use with client pets in your care.

Schedule C, Line 22

Pet First Aid Certification

100% deductible

Pet first aid and CPR certification courses are professional development expenses that are fully deductible — and increasingly expected by clients.

Schedule C, Line 27a

Business Insurance

100% deductible

Pet sitter insurance, general liability coverage, and bonding (often required by clients or platforms) are deductible insurance premiums.

Schedule C, Line 15

Phone (Business Portion)

50% deductible

The business-use percentage of your phone bill — used to communicate with clients, navigate to locations, and manage bookings via apps.

Schedule C, Line 25

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not tracking daily mileage — this is the #1 deduction for dog walkers and is easy to miss.
Forgetting Rover/Wag platform commission fees — check your payment history for the exact amounts.
Missing insurance premiums — pet care liability insurance is required by many platforms.
Overlooking pet supply costs as consumable business expenses.

Recordkeeping Tips

Use a mileage tracking app (or MyTaxWriteOffs) to log every trip to a client automatically.
Download your annual earnings statement from Rover or Wag showing gross pay and platform fees.
Keep receipts for pet supplies, leashes, harnesses, and first aid gear.
Document your pet first aid certification and any renewal costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.