pet tax
/ˈpɛt tæks/
Very CommonPhotos of your pet you owe the internet after mentioning them online.
Playful and affectionate. Refusing the pet tax is a running joke. Paying it is always celebrated.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | great post but where is the pet tax | The commenter wants to see a photo of the pet mentioned. | reddit, 2022 |
| 02 | paying the pet tax as promised | Following through with pet photos after previously mentioning them. | reddit, 2023 |
| 03 | you mentioned a cat and did not pay the pet tax. unacceptable. | Mock outrage that no cat photo was included. | x, 2023 |
| 04 | preemptively paying the pet tax because i know you all will ask | Posting pet photos before anyone demands them. | reddit, 2024 |
Use it when
- Someone mentions their pet without posting a picture.
- Someone shares a funny story about their animal.
- Requesting photos after someone name-drops their pet.
Do not use it when
- You are talking about actual animal-related financial costs.
Variations and related forms
Origin and context
Originated in Reddit communities where users demanded animal photos whenever someone mentioned a pet. The framing of photos as a 'tax' made the custom feel like a fun social obligation.
- First seen
- early-2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/pet-taxUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0