Boarding dogs in condo

[Mayday2024]

hi there

I have a condo as an owner in the city of Toronto. With Rover I started boarding dogs lately:

1. only one dog at a time
2. charge low rate
3. no chance for profit given the condo fee etc

yesterday the dog I was sitting barked while I was away and I got a noise compliant.

so now I want help on:

1. Is this considered a business or hobby, what bylaw governs this type of activity
2. condo pet bylaw requests residents to register their pets but I am only sitting others dogs for a few Days at a time, is it ok to do so

this area many other people doing the same, seems they have not got issues
please kindly help or guide me to the right direction
thank you

 

[quincy]

hi there

I have a condo as an owner in the city of Toronto. With Rover I started boarding dogs lately:

1. only one dog at a time
2. charge low rate
3. no chance for profit given the condo fee etc

yesterday the dog I was sitting barked while I was away and I got a noise compliant.

so now I want help on:

1. Is this considered a business or hobby, what bylaw governs this type of activity
2. condo pet bylaw requests residents to register their pets but I am only sitting others dogs for a few Days at a time, is it ok to do so

this area many other people doing the same, seems they have not got issues
please kindly help or guide me to the right direction
thank you

Toronto, Canada? Or Toronto, Ohio?

If you are in Canada, you should know that FreeAdvice is a US law forum, handling legal issues concerning US laws. You will want to find legal assistance in Toronto.

 

[adjusterjack]

Is this considered a business or hobby,

I don't think Canada vs US makes much difference. You charge money for your service, it's a business.

Profit is loosely defined as gross revenue less expenses.

Has nothing to do with your condo fees.

what bylaw governs this type of activity
2. condo pet bylaw

Well, we obviously can't read your condo by-laws from here.

Besides, whether you have to register the dog as your pet or not has nothing to do with the noise complaint.

The dog barked and disturbed somebody. That's what will get you penalized.

 

[Zigner]

I don't think Canada vs US makes much difference. You charge money for your service, it's a business.

The IRS disagrees:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/earning-side-income-is-it-a-hobby-or-a-business

 

[quincy]

I don't think Canada vs US makes much difference. ...

You’d think wrong.

 

[adjusterjack]

You’d think wrong.

In the definition of "business."

The IRS disagrees:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/earning-side-income-is-it-a-hobby-or-a-business

"taxpayers must report income earned from hobbies"

A semantic distinction without a difference. Still have to pay taxes on the money earned from the dog sitting. Unless, of course, expenses exceed income and the standard deduction exceeds the net profit. Figured I'd better get those caveats in before you jumped on them. LOL.

 

[quincy]

FreeAdvice handles US law questions only so, if Mayday2024 resides in Canada, Canadian law will apply.

 

[LdiJ]

FreeAdvice handles US law questions only so, if Mayday2024 resides in Canada, Canadian law will apply.

Including Canadian tax law which isn't really similar to US tax law.

 

[Zigner]

In the definition of "business."



"taxpayers must report income earned from hobbies"

A semantic distinction without a difference. Still have to pay taxes on the money earned from the dog sitting. Unless, of course, expenses exceed income and the standard deduction exceeds the net profit. Figured I'd better get those caveats in before you jumped on them. LOL.

No, there is a difference. In a nutshell, if it's a "hobby," one can't deduct losses like one can if it's a "business."

 

[festival]

I'm guessing that other dogs, when left in a strange new place without their owner, will also bark. Looks like you will have an ongoing problem.

Is your condominium zoned for business or home-based business?

Toronto may have a definition of business and home-based business in their ordinances. Do you meet that definition? Do you need to register with the city?

 

[clarasantiago986]

Hello,

Regarding your situation, it's recommended to consult with a legal professional or check with local authorities to understand the specific bylaws governing pet-sitting activities in Toronto and your condo's regulations.

 

[quincy]

FreeAdvice is a forum for US law questions and legal concerns. Canada is not the US.