Absolutely find another CPA that knows the STR rules and puts you in the best position possible in the event of an audit.

That is the point of acting as a licensed agent to begin with.The job of these promotional companies is to be transparent and make sure investors know they are not impartial.  

There must be something in the middle of my $376 TurboTax Premier (with audit protection) fee that I pay to do my own taxes (federal and 2 states that my rentals are in) and $10,000.  

Hey Michael - I'd love to give you a specific pointers if you'd like me to run an audit of your listing. 

Hint: look for a solar architect, who acts as an adviser and works for you and audits the installer project proposal.Many states/utilities are no longer allowing net metering (kWh for kWh) and use instead all kinds of payback schemes (e.g. if you over-produce, they will gladly take your kWh for 3 cents and graciously allow you to take it back at night for 22cents - end result being, if your system is not properly sized, you will be producing energy for the utility and never recover the costs of the installation).

The landlord said that its not zoned for business and that would raise flags with the IRS and i could potentially get audited. keep in mind that i have a consulting business. is there some truth to this because i do have a home office at the house as well. the rent is 1600 per month. that 1600 per month and utilities wouldn't be a tax write off to my LLC?

I am not licensed for consumer loans in ID (I can do investor stuff all day long, but not consumer in ID), so I can provide impartial advice.

You will receive a report as a result of the cost segregation study that supports the breakout between asset classes and new depreciation schedule in the event that you are audited by the IRS.

In my area the zoning board is the final approver, they are appointed to their position and have authority to make the decisions and to be a bit more impartial than an elected official.

@Brett Dudley - we have yet to see any court cases for what happens when an STR becomes a LTR, but the IRS looks at facts and circumstances... since you are on public record by posting here that your main concern is the tax benefit, it may not fall in your favor during if you were ever audited.