Historic Tax Credits

Historic Preservation Tax Credits

Ohioans have access to two historic preservation tax credits to assist with the costs of building rehabilitation, one at the federal level and one at the state level.

Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit

The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit is a 20% income tax credit is available for the rehabilitation of historic buildings that are determined by the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to be “certified historic structures.” The buildings must be considered depreciable under the Internal Revenue Code, such as in a business, commercial, or other income-producing use. It has leveraged $131.73 billion in private investment to preserve more than 49,000 historic properties since 1976.

Learn more about the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit.

Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program

The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides a competitive state tax credit up to 25% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures incurred during a rehabilitation project, up to $5 million. Owners and long-term lessees of historically designated buildings who undertake a rehabilitation project may apply for the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. A building must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places; contribute to a National Register Historic District, National Park Service Certified Historic District, or Certified Local Government historic district; or be listed as a local landmark by a Certified Local Government to be eligible.

With 32 rounds of funding complete, tax credits have been approved for 706 projects to rehabilitate more than 960 historic buildings in 91 different Ohio communities. The program is projected to leverage more than $10,403,191,566 billion in private development funding and federal tax credits directly through the rehabilitation projects.

Learn more about the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program.

Pipeline Initiative

The Historic Preservation Pipeline Initiative provides small grants and technical assistance to assist in nominating buildings and districts to the National Register of Historic Places.

The program creates a pipeline of properties that are eligible for redevelopment assistance through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program and helps communities and property owners advance redevelopment of underutilized historic buildings.

Learn more on how to apply for Pipeline Initiative Funds.