Sorry for the off-topic post. Finally got around to doing the taxes this year (strange year, EI x8 months, working at new job x 3 months).

Got a question for you out there.... any of you landlords? I can't find a good answer online regarding cell phones.

- can you claim a portion of your cell phones as a rental expense (for the tenants to get a hold of you / contractors etc) if you own a rental dwelling? I was looking to claim 25% as rental expense, 75% as personal.

- as an employee, I know you can't claim a cell phone, but I can't find a good answer as a landlord. I don't think it's black and white....

Peter

 

Incorporate, put the property(s) in the corporation's name, bill the cell phone through the company and write off 100$ of the bill. Same for a portion of your vehicle expenses, insurance, gas, etc. Anything you use to generate income can be written off. I'm not sure if the same applies if you're not incorporated. But really, just for the sake of liability as a property owner, I think you'd be crazy not to be incorporated.

 

^ good advice

 

If you are a landlord with multiple tenants I would allow 25% when doing a client's return. (I do over 100 returns and this is my 51st tax season - boy am I old!). Canadian taxes by the way.

 

Like my accountant says, "Presentation is everything. Claim what makes sense and if you're wrong you'll simply be re-assessed." I've never been questioned on this nickel & dime stuff in 27 years of being a landlord...touch wood.

 

Thx for the replies.

I've been doing my own taxes since starting out (usually with quick tax and turbo tax) and have read the pamphlets early on (like 13yrs ago) when I first became a landlord...

it might be nickel and dimes for them, but with cell phone bills averaging almost $1000/yr, 25% claim still reduces my tax bill by $100 or so.

Thanks,
Peter