Tax Credit Specialist (TCS)

Become a Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit professional

NCHM is setting the standard for training and certification in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) world with our Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) program.

Unlike programs offered by others, NCHM teaches and it certifies! Don’t make the mistake of getting your training from one source and taking your certification exam from another!

TCS offers learners a thorough review of IRS regulations and guidance, including the IRS’s Guide for Completing Form 8823. The program also covers HUD Handbook 4350.3 guidance that pertains to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties.

If you are responsible for tax credit properties, whether you are a manager, compliance specialist, or other staff, TCS was designed to provide you with the best working knowledge of the tax credit program.

Please note: TCS is available both online and in the classroom. If taken online, the certification exam is also given online, and students have one week from the completion of the course to take the exam. If the course is taken in the classroom, the certification exam is administered on the third day.

What you’ll learn:

• An overview of the LIHTC program

Students will receive a thorough introduction to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program from background and history to a comprehensive review of a housing credit property’s life cycle, including the option of resyndication. Learn about the most current regulatory updates affecting the LIHTC program, such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization.

• How to calculate assets and income

Compliance with occupancy requirements begins with the correct identification and calculation of income and assets. TCS reviews the guidelines set forth in HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 and includes numerous exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning and test proficiency in this critical area of property management.

• How to determine eligibility

TCS goes in-depth on the other significant Section 42 eligibility requirements including such topics as the minimum set-aside and applicable fraction measurements; LIHTC income and rent limits; utility allowances; student eligibility; and leases. Housing Choice Voucher holders, non-citizens, and occupancy standards are also reviewed to provide a complete picture of household eligibility.

• How to stay in compliance

Learn how to maintain eligibility through proper annual recertifications and constant vigilance concerning ongoing tenant eligibility and Fair Housing compliance. TCS reviews the nuts-and-bolts of the federal regulations layered with areas where the state agencies may choose to be more restrictive. It also offers practical tips and strategies for properly organizing tenant files, inspecting units and successfully passing property audits without findings.

Upcoming Courses