CYBER CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
- Never respond to an email requesting funds. Call your Escrow Officer at a number you already have to confirm the request.
- Be wary of any unsolicited email requesting personal information.
- Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information.
- Always compare the link in the email to the webpage/URL that you are actually directed to.
- Log on to the official website, instead of “linking” to it from an unsolicited email.
- Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email using a phone number you already have, to verify if the email is genuine.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE FBI WEBSITE:
Franchise Tax Board Withholding – Sellers
Sellers of a California real property interest are subject to the State Franchise Tax Board requirement which imposes a maximum withholding of .0333% (3 1/3) of the gross sale price of the real property.
Exemptions and Reductions in Withholding
Certain exceptions and reductions in withholding may apply, subject to the FTB requirements. Please contact your tax adviser and/or legal counsel for more information.
Internal Revenue Service
Apply for an EIN Online* https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
*(For U.S. Entities only, such as a Trust, an Estate, Partnership, etc.)
IRS FIRPTA Withholding – Foreign Sellers
Foreign Sellers of a U.S. real property interest are subject to the Foreign Investors Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA), which imposes a maximum withholding of 15% of the gross sale price of the real property.
Exemptions and Reduction in Withholding
Certain exceptions and reductions in withholding may apply, subject to the IRS notification requirements. Please contact your Escrow Officer for more information.
Links
International Taxpayers Information Page https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers
ITIN Guidance for Foreign Property Buyers/ Sellers https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/itin-guidance-for-foreign-property-buyers-sellers
Realtors
California Desert Association of Realtors (and MLS) https://www.cdaronline.org/
Palm Springs Regional Association of Realtors https://psrar.org/
California Department of Real Estate (DRE) http://dre.ca.gov/
City
Cathedral City http://www.cathedralcity.gov
Coachella https://www.coachella.org
Desert Hot Springs https://www.cityofdhs
Indian Wells http://www.cityofindianwells.org/default.asp
Indio https://indio.org
La Quinta https://www.laquintaca.gov/
Palm Desert https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org
Palm Springs https://www.palmspringsca.gov/city-services/utilities
Rancho Mirage https://ranchomirageca.gov/residents/living-in-rancho-mirage/utilities/
State
California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) https://dfpi.ca.gov/
Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation http://eafc.org/
Escrow Institute of California http://www.escrowinstitute.org/
HCD – Department of Housing and Community Development http://hcd.ca.gov/
California Escrow Association https://www.ceaescrow.org/
County
Riverside County Tax Collector https://countytreasurer.org/
(951) 955-3900
Desert Office https://countytreasurer.org/ContactUs/DesertOffice.aspx
Riverside County Tax Assessor/Clerk/Recorder https://www.asrclkrec.com/
(951) 955-6200
Desert Office https://www.asrclkrec.com/maps/location/PalmDesert
Assessor
(760) 863-7800
County Clerk-Recorder
(760) 863-8732
San Bernardino County Tax Collector http://www.mytaxcollector.com/
(909) 387-8308
San Bernardino County Tax Assessor/Clerk/Recorder https://www.sbcounty.gov/ARC/Main/Assessor/PropertyInformation.aspx
(855) 732-2575
Imperial County Tax Collector https://www.co.imperial.ca.us/TaxCollectorTreasurer/index.asp
(442) 265-1270
Imperial County Assessor’s Office https://www.co.imperial.ca.us/assessor/
(442) 265-1300
Utilities
Cathedral City http://www.cathedralcity.gov/residents/utilities
Coachella https://www.coachella.org/residents/utility-companies
Desert Hot Springs https://www.cityofdhs.org/utilities
Indian Wells http://cityofindianwells.org/cityhall/cityservices/directory.asp
Indio https://indio.org/about/links.htm
La Quinta https://www.laquintaca.gov/residents/public-safety-services/local-utilities
Palm Desert https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/residents/living-in-palm-desert/utilities
Palm Springs https://www.palmspringsca.gov/city-services/utilities
Rancho Mirage https://ranchomirageca.gov/residents/living-in-rancho-mirage/utilities/
Utility Providers
Electricity
Southern California Edison (SCE) https://www.sce.com/
(800) 655-4555
Imperial Irrigation District https://www.iid.com/
(760) 303-7756
Gas
Southern California Gas Company https://www.socalgas.com/
(877) 238-0092
Telephone/Internet/Cable
Frontier Communications https://frontier.com/
(800) 921-8105
Spectrum https://www.spectrum.com/
(855) 363-4906
Waste Management
Burrtec http://www.burrtec.com/
(760) 340-2113
Desert Valley Disposal http://www.desertvalleydisposal.com/
(760) 329-5030
Palm Springs Disposal https://palmspringsdisposal.com/
(760) 327-1351
Water
Coachella Valley Water District
(760) 398-2651
Desert Water Agency
(760) 323-4971
Indio Water Authority https://www.indio.org/your_government/water/default.htm
(760) 391-4038
Myoma Dunes Water Company http://www.myomawater.com/
(760) 760-772-1967
