Mortgage Credit Certificates
Tax Credit Program for First-Time Homebuyers
Down Payment Assistance programs help you get into a home. Our MCC program helps you afford to STAY in your home.
Community Investment Corporation’s Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program allows first time home buyers* in Pima County, AZ to claim up to $2,000 of their annual mortgage interest as a federal tax credit – each year and every year they live in their homes.
MCCs can save homeowners $50,000 over the life of their mortgage. The MCC program is funded by The Pima County Industrial Development Authority.
*A first time home buyer is defined as a person who has not owned a home in the last three years. Qualified military veterans or people purchasing a home in a targeted area also can qualify for an MCC.
Program Details
Program Benefits
- Earn up to $2,000 in tax credits annually for the life of the mortgage.
- Helps homebuyers qualify for financing.
- Increases loan eligibility.
- Reduces taxes owed.
- Tax credit stays with you even if you refinance.
- This program was designed for first-time homebuyers BUT there are exceptions…
- First-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home within the past three years.
- Qualified military veterans DO NOT have to be first-time homebuyers.
- Applicants who purchase in targeted areas do NOT have to be first-time homebuyers
- Applicant must apply and gain approval for an MCC PRIOR to home closing.
- All home types – Single-family, manufactured housing, condos, duplexes, and town houses are included in this program.
- The MCC program is valid for properties in Pima County only.
- Applicant must occupy the property being purchased as a primary residence.
- Must have a tax liability to qualify.
Income limits are based on 115% of area median gross income, and vary by county – please refer to the limits for Pima County below.
Pima County
| Family Size | Non-Target Area | Target Area* |
| 1 to 2 persons | $103,600 | $124,320 |
| 3 or more persons | $119,140 | $145,040 |
Pima County.
| Property Type | Non-Target Area | Target Area* |
| New or Existing | $566,354 | $692,211 |
Target Areas are economically distressed areas that are determined by census tracts. These areas have different requirements for the MCC Program.
One-Time Program Fee: $1,000
- Payment plans are offered with terms of up to 6 months.
- Payment of the one-time program fee is required to enroll in the MCC program.
Annual Renewal Fee: $100
- This fee begins the year following home purchase; pro-rated for the first year based on purchase date.
- Annual fees cover the tax credit for the previous year.
Example: If you purchased a home in June 2023
- June 2023: Closed on home and paid the one-time MCC Program Fee.
- June 2023: December 31, 2023: Mortgage interest accrues.
- Spring 2024: File your taxes for 2023 and claim your MCC.
- Spring 2024: Pay pro-rated Renewal Fee for use of MCC in 2023 (6 months).
- Spring 2025: File your taxes for 2024 and claim your MCC.
- Spring 2025: Pay full Renewal Fee for use of MCC in 2024.
- Repeat annually for the life of your mortgage, saving up to $2,000 each year.
PLEASE NOTE: The MCC Program is Currently Only Accepting Applications for Pima County.
- Download the MCC application: English Application or Spanish Application
Application must be completed with a CIC staff member, either in person, on the phonem or via our portal with our online DocuSign.
- To fill out your application with us over the phone or in person, please click here to schedule an appointment. Make sure to include your phone number, and we will call you at your scheduled time.
- Upload the following require documents here: MCC File Upload
- Your completed application.
- Copies of your 3 most recent tax returns (federal form 1040 for 2022, 2023, and 2024).
- You can obtain tax transcripts from IRS.gov.
- If you didn’t file taxes any of these years, please request a tax waiver form.
For more income and purchase limits information and program requirements, CLICK HERE FOR FLYER.
Para pedir más información acerca de los límites de ingresos, compras y otros requisitos del programa en ESPAÑOL, HAGA CLIC AQUÍ.
Schedule an appointment with us.
We’re here to help you with step-by-step guidance through the application process – we will help you to determine if you meet the qualifications for the program, and if you do, we will help you apply.
Please let us know your questions about the program. Our team will follow up with you.
To contact our team, email mcc@cictucson.org, call (502) 462-4MCC (4622), or fill out the form below. Se Habla Español
What Is a mORTGAGE cREDIT CERTIFICATE (Mcc)?
¿Qué es un certificado de crédito hipotecario (MCC)?
Helpful Links:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions.
For more income and purchase limits information and program requirements, CLICK HERE FOR FLYER.
Para pedir más información acerca de los límites de ingresos, compras y otros requisitos del programa en ESPAÑOL, HAGA CLIC AQUÍ.
You must have a tax liability to take the credit. If you do not have a tax liability now, you may have one in the future. In addition, if you owe no taxes, or the credit is greater than your tax liability, you may carry the tax credit forward for up to three years.
Files for borrowers who have received MCCs must be maintained and serviced for the life of the loan. This includes reporting required by the IRS and the IDA to cancel non-compliant MCCs and reissue new MCCs upon refinancing. Renewal fees pay for the overhead and ongoing administration of these files.
If you have financial hardships which make it difficult to pay your fee, please call our office at 520-462-4MCC (4622) to make special arrangements. If you do not receive a tax credit in a particular year because you had no tax liability, contact CIC to have your annual fee waived (must provide copy of tax return).
You may remain enrolled in the MCC program if you refinance on your home, but we must issue you a new certificate each time you refinance.
To get a new certificate issued after a refinance, there are two documents that will need to be completed. One you will fill out, and the second your lender will need to fill out. You are responsible for getting your lender to complete his/her portion and return it to us. Both of these documents are linked below!
In addition to these two forms, we will need a copy of your promissory note and either your closing disclosure or settlement statement. Please also send us your original MCC certificate, if you have it.
Mail all of the above documents to:
Community Investment Corporation
Attn: MCC Program
2033 E. Grant Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85719
Or, you may upload these documents here.
No, you must be a primary resident. If you sell your home, rent your home, or if it becomes your secondary residence, you must notify us and we will cancel your certificate.