New California tax credit being offered for buyers of new construction properties.
This tax credit is available for qualified buyers who on or after March 1, 2009, and before March 1, 2010, purchase a qualified principal residence that has never been occupied. The buyer must reside in the new home for a minimum of two years immediately following the purchase date.
Tax credit amounts
California allocated $100,000,000 for this tax credit. Buyers must apply for credit allocation from the State of California Franchise Tax Board. Applications will be reviewed and credit allocations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Once $100,000,000 has been allocated, the tax credit will no longer be available.
California allows qualified new home buyers a total tax credit amount equal to either five percent of the purchase price or $10,000, whichever is less. Taxpayers must apply the total tax credit in equal amounts over three successive taxable years (maximum of $3,333 per year) beginning with the taxable year (2009 or 2010) in which the new home is purchased.
How to apply
- Within one week (seven calendar days) after the close of escrow:
- The seller must complete Part I of Form 3528-A, Application for New Home Credit, certifying that the home has never been occupied, and provide a copy to the buyer or escrow person.
- The buyer will complete Parts II & III of Form 3528-A.
- The escrow person on behalf of the seller and buyer will fax the completed Form 3528-A to FTB at 916.845.9754, and provide a copy to the buyer.
- Fax is the only delivery method that will be accepted and considered for credit allocation by FTB, as the date and time stamp on the fax will determine the order in which credits are allocated.
- Fax only one completed application per residence with all qualified buyers listed. Do not include information on nonqualified buyers. An incomplete application may delay or prevent credit allocation.
- Do not fax the application to FTB before escrow closes.
- Do not fax the application to FTB more than once. We will process the applications in the order received as quickly as possible.
- Escrow companies should only send one application per fax transmission.
- The buyer keeps a copy of the completed Form 3528-A for their records.
- The Form 3528-A is now available online as a fillable form. Simply fill in all required information, print the form, and sign. If you fill out the form by hand, please print numbers as clearly and neatly as possible using CAPITAL LETTERS and staying between the lines. The faxes can be very hard to read.
Application processing
- The buyer will receive notification of credit allocation from FTB.
- An allocation of credit will not be issued if:
- The home has been previously occupied.
- The application is not received within one week after the close of escrow.
- The application is received after the total credits available ($100,000,000) have been allocated.
Requirements of the credit
- The home must be a “qualified principal residence” as defined under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 17059(b)(1). The home must:
- Be a single-family residence, whether detached or attached.
- Never have been previously occupied.
- Be occupied by the taxpayer for a minimum of two years.
- Be eligible for the property tax homeowner’s exemption under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 218.
- For over three successive taxable years, the total credit allocated among owners that occupy the home must not exceed $10,000. (Multiple qualified buyers that occupy the home will be allocated credit based on the amount paid and their percentage of ownership.)
- Any credit that reduced tax on a tax return must be repaid if the buyer does not occupy the home for at least two years immediately following the purchase date.
- FTB may request documentation to ensure buyers have complied with the requirements of the credit.
Claiming the credit
- The buyer must receive an allocation of credit from FTB to claim the credit. The credit allocation letter will state the amount they can claim listed by tax year.
- The buyer should refer to Publication 3528 (available by 12/2009) for instructions on claiming the credit.
- The buyer must claim the credit on an original timely filed return, including returns filed on an extension.
- Special rules apply to married/RDP (Registered Domestic Partners) taxpayers filing separately, in which case each spouse is entitled to one-half of the credit, even if their ownership percentages are not equal. For two or more taxpayers who are not married/RDP, the credit amount will have already been allocated to each taxpayer occupying the residence on their respective credit allocation letter.
- If the available credit exceeds the current year net tax, the unused credit may not be carried over to the following year.
- The credit is not refundable.
For more information visit http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/New_Home_Credit.shtml