Principal Residence for Renter's Credit

[musician98]

I'm in California. I've lived in Town A for many years. In late 2021, I moved to Town B and lived there (rented an apartment) for most of 2022 before moving back to Town A. I think I meet all the requirements for the renter's credit. However, I never changed my official address to the Town B address while I lived there. I continued to use my Town A address on my taxes, driver's license, etc. (It's my parents' address and I felt it was safer to have important mail to continue going there instead of the Town B address.) Does the Town B address qualify as my principal residence? I lived there almost all of 2022 even though I didn't make it my official/permanent address. I'm concerned it will look suspicious to all of a sudden put that I was living in Town B. 

[MonikaK1]

The requirements for the California Renter's Credit are:

All of the following must apply:

• You paid rent in California for at least 1/2 the year
• The property was not tax exempt
• Your California income was:
  • $49,220 or less if your filing status is single or married/registered domestic partner (RDP) filing separately
  • $98,440 or less if you are married/RDP filing jointly, head of household, or qualified widow(er)
• You did not live with someone who can claim you as a dependent
• You or your spouse/RDP were not given a property tax exemption during the tax year

See here for more information.

The addresses where you rented don't matter as long as you paid rent in CA for at least half the year, the property was not tax-exempt, and you meet the other requirements.

[musician98]

Thank you for clarifying!