Can someone give me some insight on a tax filing question?

XtremeModder wrote: ↑ I'm not well versed in doing my own taxes now at least, before, yes as it was just an RRSP and a T4. Now I have the whole home business thing I'm not sure how to go about it, unless it's easier than I think.

However, the person I usually get to do my taxes charges $175 for the personal and business taxes... if that's high let me know.

Regardless, we just bought our home last February and the woman and the woman that does this asked if its my first home, it is, split between my gf and I. She asked who makes more, she does. So she said get her to claim it and that was the end of the call.

Claim what? Kind of annoyed me she didn't want to explain it so either I want to do this myself now or get someone to do it for me.

Said she needs to know what % of the home is used as my office, water, hydro, gas bill, etc...

Can anyone shed some light on this for me as I'd really like to learn to do this myself when it comes to the home business side of things. This year I have no problem paying someone to do it but going forward would prefer to do it myself.

callernamet wrote: ↑ I think that is cheap. I have paid that much years back. Now the rates mus be high. I have always gave them what is cost and expenses printed paper along with documents.
It is not mess or big mess but a bit pain to give all these details. But that is what you need those details even when you do on own. The confusing part is question who makes more money. May be that is something to do with some credits/expenses? My close friend was doing taxes for H & R years back he also did some mistakes. And the credits went to old mans account instead women. The old lady was furious.

So make sure the data you give is correct and check what they are filing and details before signing/sending to CRA.
Check is the claim is first time home buyers credit? I believe she will get it and then you guys split it up? Just my Guess. also check "Land Transfer Tax Refunds for First-Time Homebuyers"

XtremeModder wrote: ↑ I'm not well versed in doing my own taxes now at least, before, yes as it was just an RRSP and a T4. Now I have the whole home business thing I'm not sure how to go about it, unless it's easier than I think.

However, the person I usually get to do my taxes charges $175 for the personal and business taxes... if that's high let me know.

Regardless, we just bought our home last February and the woman and the woman that does this asked if its my first home, it is, split between my gf and I. She asked who makes more, she does. So she said get her to claim it and that was the end of the call.

Claim what? Kind of annoyed me she didn't want to explain it so either I want to do this myself now or get someone to do it for me.

Said she needs to know what % of the home is used as my office, water, hydro, gas bill, etc...

Can anyone shed some light on this for me as I'd really like to learn to do this myself when it comes to the home business side of things. This year I have no problem paying someone to do it but going forward would prefer to do it myself.

WetCoastGuy wrote: ↑ The tax prep fee charged varies by how complex it is ...typical fees are $50 - $100 for a Basic Personal return and with more than one source of income starts at $100 and up. Whether $175 is high...cannot say without knowing the business and how clean the records are and whether you've done most of the work summarizing all the receipts, invoices, etc. see RC Financial Group Tax Prep Fees (Note: not endorsing any particular accountant, just info)

As for learning to do it yourself, you can try as CRA provides information on Reporting Income and Reporting Business Income

But frankly speaking as an accountant, unless it is the most basic Personal Return that you can file using some tax filing apps like WealthSimple Tax I wouldn't recommend trying to do it yourself. It's a bit of learning curve and with Business Income there are many rules that are changing all the time and you can easily overlook something and then you're out of pocket. Leave it to professionals who can keep on top of those things. It's a small price that you can also claim as a business expense.

XtremeModder wrote: ↑ Yea i figured I would do that.

What I didn't like was her saying to claim it because she makes more and basically ended the call... Claim what? I've used her for the last 2 years and that alone makes me want to find someone else now. The $175 she was charging doesn't really matter to me.

MikeMontrealer wrote: ↑ If you asked "sorry, can you explain further what we're claiming and why, that would be great" and she said "uh gotta go bye" and hung up, yeah I'd be annoyed too.

Did you ask?

XtremeModder wrote: ↑ I did and all I got was "tell her to claim it and file together"

Claim what? First time home buyer? How the hell am I supposed to know if I'm not being answered lol.

callernamet wrote: ↑ Looks like what I do sometimes. Or many times. careless answers and not think what other feels. Sometimes I do on purpose.

So yes claim it as she has more salary so she can save few more dollars.

Or may be she don't want your account as she has found many new customers. Like Banks or Rogers/Fido/Bell. or like any Canadian companies do with old customers.