Santa Clarita Real Estate

Offers of free storage, recorded document replacement, tax help, free finacial advice offered to fire victims in Santa Clarita, California

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced several relief measures for the victims of wildfires in seven Southern California counties.

• The FTB will allow victims to receive additional tax refunds this year by immediately reporting their disaster losses through amended 2006 returns. In addition, the FTB has temporarily suspended mailing billing notices in the seven Southern California counties affected by the wildfires.

  Affected taxpayers may also claim the disaster loss on their 2007 tax return that are due to be filed in spring. The affected counties include Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and San Diego in the declared state and federal disaster area.

  Tax information regarding the fires will be regularly updated and posted on www.ftb.ca.gov.

• Union Bank of Calif. Foundation Donates to Relief Efforts

  The Union Bank of California Foundation announced it has committed $200,000 to support relief efforts for the wildfires affecting Southern California. The funds will be distributed to selected charitable organizations based on the most critical needs for emergency shelter, food, clothing and other services for disaster victims. For more information, visit www.unionbank.com.

• Free Storage Offered to Fire Victims

The Storage Center of Valencia is offering temporary storage use for the Santa Clarita Valley and Agua Dulce fire victims. The center is located at 26407 Bouquet Canyon Road in the Lowe’s Shopping Center. Victims are asked to call Operations Manager Espie Lopez for complete details at 263-1999.

• Fire Victims Eligible to Receive Free Financial Advice

Members of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants are offering free disaster recovery financial advice to victims of the Southern California fires. To connect with a CPA volunteer, call toll-free at 1-800-922-5272, ext. 6242. Fire victims and others can also access free disaster recovery information at www.calcpa.org.

• First American Title Offers Help to Those Affected by Fire

First American Title Insurance Company announced that it will replace recorded mortgage documents, property tax information, recorded deeds and tax assessor maps at no charge for homeowners who lost their homes in the recent fires in Southern California.

First American is also offering a 40 percent discount on title insurance for fire victims securing a new deed of trust or a construction loan on those lost properties.

For more information, call 1-866-748-3924 or visit www.firstamericantitle.com.