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California Tax Credit – How to Apply

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. The date and time applications are received may not be reviewed in any administrative or judicial proceeding.
  • 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 us.
  • 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.
  • FTB’s determination may not be protested or appealed.

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 us 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.
  • Any disallowance of the credit may not be protested or appealed.

Definitions

Purchase date:
The date escrow closes.
Qualified buyer:
A taxpayer who purchases a single-family residence, whether detached or attached, that has never been occupied, that is purchased to be the principal residence of the taxpayer for a minimum of two years, and that is eligible for the homeowner’s exemption under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 218.
Qualified Principal Residence/New Home:
A qualified principal residence means a single-family residence, whether detached or attached, that has never been occupied and is purchased to be the principal residence of the taxpayer for a minimum of two years and is eligible for the property tax homeowner’s exemption.

  • Types of residence: Any of the following can qualify if it is your principal residence and is subject to property tax, whether real or personal property: a single family residence, a condominium, a unit in a cooperative project, a houseboat, a manufactured home, or a mobile home.
  • Owner-built property: A home constructed by an owner -taxpayer is not eligible for the New Home Credit because the home has not been “purchased.”

Contact us

Phone:

  • 888.792.4900 (press 5)
  • 916.845.4900 (not toll-free)

Email: wscs.gen@ftb.ca.gov
This is not a secure email address. Please do not send confidential information.