The prospect of owning a home for the first time can be very exciting and also costly. To help taxpayers achieve this dream the California Legislature passed a Bill entitled 10k California Tax Credit First Time Homebuyer program. This program allows a tax credit for people embarking on this venture.
As with any legislation, the wording is often difficult to follow when trying to determine if one qualifies for this credit. Certain deadlines are involved and strict rules regarding dates of purchase and closing must be followed to qualify. Purchase and escrow completion dates are very important in required qualifications.
If a person sells their current home and purchases another they can be eligible for a credit on their income tax, if they occupied the previous home for a three year period. Other taxpayers eligible for this credit include those purchasing a brand new home and those who are purchasing a home for the very first time. This credit is regulated strictly by the dates of the transactions which must be strictly adhered to.
A tax credit for this home purchase is allowed for people filing a 2010 CA State Tax Return. It is available for homes purchased on or after May 1, 2010 and before January 1, 2011. If a contract is written on or before December 31, 2010 the taxpayer has until August 1, 2011 to claim the credit. Purchase date is determined by the date the escrow closes.
To obtain this credit, applications, together with required papers must be faxed to the Franchise Tax Board within two weeks of closing. Mailed applications are not accepted. The credit is limited to five percent of the purchase price or $10,000, whichever is less.
This tax credit applies to a wide area of housing such as a regular house, houseboat, mobile home, manufactured home, condominium or a unit in a cooperative project. Regardless of which type of purchase is made all follow the same guidelines when applying for the credit. Required papers and instructions is available on the California website.
For more info or questions about 10k California Tax Credit please send any correspondence to the 1st Nationwide Mortgage team at www.1stnwm.com
