Historic Tax Credit
Preserve and rehabilitate historic, income-producing buildings
Credit Amount
20%
Of QRE
Properties Preserved
50,000+
Since 1976
Private Investment
$127B+
Leveraged
Program Details
Established
1976 (IRC Section 47)
Administered By
National Park Service, IRS, State Historic Preservation Offices
Credit Structure
20% of Qualified Rehabilitation Expenditures
Claim Period
5 years (taken ratably at 4% annually)
Eligible Projects
Certified historic buildings used for income-producing purposes
Target Beneficiaries
Communities with historic assets
Compliance Requirements
Must meet preservation standards; 5-year recapture risk
Best Use Case
Adaptive reuse of historic structures, often combined with affordable housing
Three-Part Certification Process
Part 1 - Historic Significance
Certifies the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or is a contributing building in a registered historic district.
Part 2 - Rehabilitation Plans
NPS reviews proposed rehabilitation work to ensure it meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
Part 3 - Completed Work
After completion, NPS certifies the rehabilitation was completed according to approved plans and standards.
Have a Historic Building?
Check if your property qualifies for Historic Tax Credits and find investors.