How Much Should I Pay for a CPA / Do I Even Need One?

[Mason Myers]

Hello all!

I'm a new investor in my 20's, getting ready to file my first year of owning a Duplex - renting half and living in the other half. My questions surround how to structure my taxes of course. I've always filed myself, very cut and dry profile...single, no kids, no LLC, W2 wage. A 15 minutes on TurboTax type. With the Duplex now, my understanding is I file as though the rental half is a separate property and cut all expenses in half as a write off to my rental income (property tax, insurance, maintenance, improvements, etc...nothing was done specifically to either unit it was full home external work like garage and railing repairs, painting) as well as depreciating the half of the duplex that is a rental after calculating basis.

It all seems very straightforward to me but I know I'd be naive not to have a second set of eyes with a professional given my lack of experience. However I don't want to get taken to the cleaners for hundreds or thousands for someone to essentially say "yep, looks good."

I'm sure everyone will tell me to still get one, but what in your experience is a reasonable price for a client like myself? Also, open to recommendations if I decide to hire someone. I'm in Metro Detroit, Michigan.

Thank you for your time, cheers!