News Release

tel 916.845.4800 | Public Affairs Office

cell 916.416.6931 | Brenda Voet

Brenda.Voet@ftb.ca.gov

Sacramento –The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today offered guidance on applications for the New Home/First-Time Buyer state tax credit, cautioning taxpayers to work closely with their escrow companies, to carefully follow the instructions on the credit forms, and to send in their applications timely to avoid being denied the credit.

“This tax credit will operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” said State Controller and FTB Chair John Chiang. “California families and individuals who are interested in purchasing a home should take advantage of this opportunity.”

The new law, AB 183 (Caballero/Ashburn), provides $200 million ($100 million for new homes and $100 million for first-time buyers) of tax credits available to those who purchase a qualified principal residence between May 1 and December 31, 2010.

The purchase date is the date escrow closes. The credit can total $10,000 by reducing one’s state taxes by up to $3,333 per year for the next three years. Taxpayers may apply for the tax credit if they have entered into a sales contract before May 1, as long as escrow closes on or after May 1, 2010.

These credits are also available for taxpayers who purchase (close escrow) on a “new” or never-before-occupied home after December 31, 2010, and before August 1, 2011, as long as they entered into an enforceable contract executed before January 1, 2011.

Credit “reservations” are available for taxpayers purchasing a “new” home that may not be ready to close escrow in the near future. Those with reservations must still apply for the credit by faxing the required application and documentation within two weeks of the close of escrow. Taxpayers cannot reserve a credit for contracts entered into before May 1, 2010. Reservations are not available for first time buyers purchasing an existing home.

Important items to keep in mind when applying for the credit:

· Applications must be faxed after escrow closes. Applications will not be honored if the 2009 form is used, or if FTB receives the application before escrow closes.

· Applications and a copy of the properly executed settlement statement must be faxed within two weeks (14 calendar days) after the close of escrow, regardless of whether a reservation request was submitted.

FTB will accept applications by fax only at 916.855.5577. The date and time stamp on the fax will determine the order in which credits are allocated. Any claims received after funds are exhausted will be denied. The taxpayer must receive a Certificate of Allocation from FTB to claim the tax credit on their California personal income tax return.

These tax credits are limited to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000. There are no income limits, but the tax credits cannot reduce regular tax below tentative minimum tax. The tax credits are nonrefundable and unused credit cannot be carried over.

To learn more about the New Home/First-Time Buyer tax credit, visit FTB’s website at www.ftb.ca.gov.

Date:	May 10, 2010
Subject:	FTB Offers Guidance on Home Buyer Tax Credits
	News Release tel 916.845.4800 \| Public Affairs Office cell 916.416.6931 \| Brenda Voet Brenda.Voet@ftb.ca.gov Sacramento –The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today offered guidance on applications for the New Home/First-Time Buyer state tax credit, cautioning taxpayers to work closely with their escrow companies, to carefully follow the instructions on the credit forms, and to send in their applications timely to avoid being denied the credit. “This tax credit will operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” said State Controller and FTB Chair John Chiang. “California families and individuals who are interested in purchasing a home should take advantage of this opportunity.” The new law, AB 183 (Caballero/Ashburn), provides $200 million ($100 million for new homes and $100 million for first-time buyers) of tax credits available to those who purchase a qualified principal residence between May 1 and December 31, 2010. The purchase date is the date escrow closes. The credit can total $10,000 by reducing one’s state taxes by up to $3,333 per year for the next three years. Taxpayers may apply for the tax credit if they have entered into a sales contract before May 1, as long as escrow closes on or after May 1, 2010. These credits are also available for taxpayers who purchase (close escrow) on a “new” or never-before-occupied home after December 31, 2010, and before August 1, 2011, as long as they entered into an enforceable contract executed before January 1, 2011. Credit “reservations” are available for taxpayers purchasing a “new” home that may not be ready to close escrow in the near future. Those with reservations must still apply for the credit by faxing the required application and documentation within two weeks of the close of escrow. Taxpayers cannot reserve a credit for contracts entered into before May 1, 2010. Reservations are not available for first time buyers purchasing an existing home. Important items to keep in mind when applying for the credit: · Applications must be faxed after escrow closes. Applications will not be honored if the 2009 form is used, or if FTB receives the application before escrow closes. · Applications and a copy of the properly executed settlement statement must be faxed within two weeks (14 calendar days) after the close of escrow, regardless of whether a reservation request was submitted. FTB will accept applications by fax only at 916.855.5577. The date and time stamp on the fax will determine the order in which credits are allocated. Any claims received after funds are exhausted will be denied. The taxpayer must receive a Certificate of Allocation from FTB to claim the tax credit on their California personal income tax return. These tax credits are limited to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000. There are no income limits, but the tax credits cannot reduce regular tax below tentative minimum tax. The tax credits are nonrefundable and unused credit cannot be carried over. To learn more about the New Home/First-Time Buyer tax credit, visit FTB’s website at www.ftb.ca.gov.