• 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.

(Adapted from the FBI website)

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 Escrow Officer for more information.

Visit ftb.gov

Apply for an EIN Online*

*(For U.S. Entities only, such as a Trust, an Estate, Partnership, etc.)

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

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/

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

https://www.irs.gov/

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

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

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

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

Foresite Escrow