Mortgage Credit Certificate Program

General Overview

The Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program is being offered to eligible first time homebuyers who are interested in buying a home anywhere in Tulare County. The MCC Program is being sponsored by the Housing Authority of the County of Tulare and the incorporated cities in the county - Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia and Woodlake. The Housing Authority of the County of Tulare administers the program under contract with Fred Consulting Associates.

What is an MCC?

A Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) provides an annual tax credit for homebuyers (MCC holder), thus reducing the amount of Federal income tax they pay. This reduction in income taxes provides more available income to homebuyers to qualify for a mortgage loan and to make their monthly mortgage payments. The tax credit can be taken by MCC holders as long as they maintain their original mortgage and live in the home as their principal residence. Under the MCC program, the maximum tax credit available is 20 percent of the annual interest paid on the MCC holder’s mortgage.

NOTE: Even if a homebuyer receives a tax refund from the IRS for the overpayment of taxes, that homeowner would be able to take the tax credit and receive an even greater refund with the Mortgage Credit Certificate.

Eligible Homebuyers

Table 1 shows the purchase price and income limits for MCC program participants.

Table 1: Income and Purchase Price Limits

Income Limits
Household Size
Non Target Area
Target Area
1 and 2 persons
$64,100
$76,920
3+ persons households
$73,715
$89,740

Purchase Price Limits
Type of Home
Non Target Area
Target Area
New (never lived in) units
$274,500
$335,500
Existing (resale) units
$274,500
$335,500

Target Area Census Tracts: 22.02, 29.01, 30.01, 31.00, 32.00, 38.02, 39.01, 39.02, 41.01, 41.02

How does the MCC reduce your taxes?

In the example given in Table 2 below, a borrower with a 6.25% fixed rate 30-year mortgage of $120,000 would make $7,500 in interest payments during the first year of the mortgage. (The MCC Program allows many types of mortgages. Contact the Program Administrator for verification.) The borrower deducts 80% of that interest ($6,000 in our example)—along with other allowable deductions—from his/her total gross income in order to figure the “adjusted gross income” on which he will calculate his/her total tax liability. After the borrower has calculated his/her total tax liability, the remaining 20% of the interest ($1,500 in our example) is deducted from his/her total tax liability. If this subtraction results in a negative number—in other words, if the borrower is unable to use the entire MCC tax credit in this particular tax year—the credit may be carried forward and used up to three calendar years in the future. By taking this action, the borrower will have more disposable income to make mortgage payments.

Table 2: Effect of a Mortgage Credit Certificate—Example

1. First Mortgage Amount
$120,000
2. Mortgage Interest Rate
6.25%
3. Annual Interest Payment
$7,500
4. Mortgage Credit Certificate Rate
20%
5. Annual MCC Amount (Line 3 x Line 4)
$1,500
6. Monthly Credit Amount (Line 5 ÷ 12)
$125

How does a borrower obtain an MCC?

As a borrower, you should contact a participating lender who can be a mortgage broker, bank, savings and loan, etc. A list of participating lenders is included on this page or available from the MCC Administrator at (415) 898-1750.

The homebuyer pays a non-refundable application fee of $300 that can be paid initially or in some cases, after close of escrow.
The MCC application is completed by your broker/lender using the information provided by the homebuyer. The Broker/lender then submits the MCC application to the MCC Program office that will process and approve the application.
After the close of escrow, the MCC Administrator sends the final MCC to the borrower with a copy to the lender.

Potential for recapture of a portion of the tax credit if the home is sold within the first nine years after purchase.

In order to discourage individuals from buying a home primarily to benefit from the tax credit and short term appreciation potential, the federal government has initiated a potential recapture of a portion of the tax credit if a home is sold within the first nine (9) years after purchase. Certain conditions must exist for the recapture to take effect. The MCC staff and your lender can outline the specifics of this recapture program at the time of your application.

What other eligibility criteria apply under the MCC Program?

MCCs will be available only to “first-time homebuyers,” i.e. not owning a “principal residence” within the past three years.

Applicants may buy a residence only for their own occupancy. Occupancy as “principal residence” must be within 60 days of the close of escrow (purchase).
MCCs can be used with new first mortgages only and the MCC tax credit can be taken for the life of the loan as long as the homebuyer continues to occupy the residence as his/her “principal residence.” MCC holders who refinance their mortgages may be eligible to refinance their mortgage and retain their MCC.
Although most mortgage products are allowable, some mortgages are ineligible. Homebuyers should check with their lender or with the MCC program.
The MCC program applies only to the borrower's federal income tax liability. Some taxes are not affected.

For Questions or Further Information Contact:

Tulare County MCC Program
c/o Fred Consulting Associates
P.O. Box 45
Novato, CA 94948
Tel: (415) 898-1750
Fax: (415) 898-0789

 

Participating Lenders in the Tulare County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program

Bank of the Sierra
PO Box 1930
Porterville, CA 93257
559-686-0675
CTX Mortgage Co.
1019 N Demaree St, Suite B
Visalia, CA 93291
559-635-0207
Golden Empire Mortgage, Inc.
5711 N West Ave
Fresno, CA 93711
559-438-0460
Guaranty Residential Lending, Inc.
1830 S Mooney Blvd #B-2
Visalia, CA 93277
559-582-2500
Irwin Mortgage Co.
2211 W Whitendale Ave, Suite A
Visalia, CA 93277
559-636-7266
Mission Hills Mortgage
1810 S Central St #8
Visalia, CA 93277
559-636-8611
Mortgage by Design dba Moneytree Lending
1017 N Demaree St, Suite A
Visalia, CA 93277
559-733-5528
National City Mortgage
2323 W Caldwell Ave
Visalia, CA 93277
559-741-1290
New Era Financial
1340 Sierra St
Kingsburg, CA 93631
559-897-0968
Provident Mortgage Corporation
1800 S Central St
Visalia, CA 93277
559-734-2071
Resource Lenders, Inc.
111 E Shaw Ave, Suite 201
Fresno, CA 93710
559-225-0500
The Kendall Company
1213 S Fairway St
Visalia, CA 93277
559-901-1974
Visalia Community Bank
120 N Floral St
Visalia, CA 93291
559-625-8733
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.
3130 W Main St, Suite D
Visalia, CA 93291
559-636-2000
WestAmerica Bank
701 W Main St
Visalia, CA 93291
559-735-3660
Western Sunrise Mortgage
2865 Sunrise Blvd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-638-1620