DCHFA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program

At a glance

Amount

Federal tax credit equal to 20% of mortgage interest paid each year (program closed)

Type of help

Tax credit

Where

Washington, DC

Run by

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA)

First-time buyer

First-time buyers, with exceptions

Income limit

Yes, see below

Price limit

Yes, see below

Homebuyer education

Not required

How the tax credit works

A federal income tax credit tied to your mortgage interest.

• Monthly payment: None

Who qualifies

• First-time buyers, with exceptions. First-time buyer under the federal three-year rule, with exceptions for purchases in targeted areas and a one-time exception for qualifying veterans.
• Income. Last published limits on DCHFA's page: household income up to $154,800 for 1 or 2 people and $180,600 for 3 or more. These are historical figures shown for reference, since the program is closed (checked 2026-09-23).
• Price. Last published maximum loan amount was $647,200 (historical figure, program closed).
• The home had to be in the District of Columbia and be the buyer's principal residence.

How to apply

1. 1The program is closed and DCHFA is not accepting applications. There is no current application path.
2. 2If you hold an existing DCHFA MCC, keep claiming the credit on your federal return each year with IRS Form 8396 and keep the certificate with your tax records.
3. 3For a below-market rate today, look at HomeAdvantage DC, DCHFA's bond program launched 2026-05-01, or DC Open Doors.

Watch out for

• DCHFA has opened and closed the MCC before, including a relaunch in June 2022. Watch DCHFA's program notifications for any reopening, but do not plan a purchase around it.
• If you have an MCC from a past purchase, refinancing without a reissued certificate ends the credit. Ask DCHFA about reissuance before you refinance.
• MCC loans, like other bond-related products, carry a federal recapture tax rule if you sell within nine years with higher income and a gain.

Straight answers

Sources

• DCHFA, Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) page stating the program is closed (read Sep 23, 2026)
• DCHFA, Mortgage Credit Certificate Program Guide, September 2020 (PDF, historical terms) (read Sep 23, 2026)

Program details are summarized from public sources and change without notice. Funding badges reflect the last time we checked, not a guarantee of availability. This is buyer education from a real estate agent, not a loan pre-approval or a commitment to lend. Eligibility is decided by each program administrator and your lender. Equal Housing Opportunity.