Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 17280
(b) No deduction shall be allowed for any of the following:
(c) For purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b):
(1) “Interest” includes any amount paid or incurred—
(2) If—
(B) The taxpayer receives no material earnings on that cash during the period of the sale,
subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to that short sale.
(d) No deduction shall be denied under this section for interest on a mortgage on, or real property taxes on, the home of the taxpayer by reason of the receipt of an amount as either of the following: