SHPO FACT SHEET #3
November 2000
State Historic Preservation Office
Oklahoma Historical Society
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405)521-6249
INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS FOR REHABILITATION
Federal Tax Law currently provides attractive incentives for the rehabilitation of historic and older buildings. These special benefits encourage revitalization of historic districts as well as individual buildings. To qualify for the tax incentives, requirements of both the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior must be met. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) participates in the review of proposed rehabilitation projects and is the initial contact for applicants. The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, is the agency responsible for certifying historic structures and rehabilitation work.
warning: To
qualify for the 20% Investment Tax Credit for "certified
rehabilitation" of a "certified historic structure," the
applicant must receive the National Park Service's written approval.
Applicants are STRONGLY ADVISED to seek NPS review before actual construction
work begins. Failure to obtain this preliminary certification may
jeopardize the tax credits for the entire project. Applicants who proceed
with rehabilitation work prior to receipt of NPS preliminary certification do so
at their own risk.
HOW MUCH ARE THE CREDITS WORTH?
20% of the allowable costs of a "certified rehabilitation" or a "certified historic structure."
OR
10% of the cost of
rehabilitation of buildings constructed prior to 1936 that are not
certified historic
structures. (The requirement
for National Park Service certification of rehabilitation does not apply
to this lesser credit.)
WHAT IS A "CERTIFIED HISTORIC STRUCTURE"?
A "certified historic structure" is defined as a building, subject to depreciation as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, and that is:
Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places; or
Located in a registered historic district and certified by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historic significance of the district.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A "CERTIFIED REHABILITATION"?
To qualify as a "certified rehabilitation," all project work must be done in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, be approved by the National Park Service, and must satisfy all IRS requirements.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 10% CREDIT?
Project work undertaken for this lesser credit must satisfy all Internal Revenue Service requirements. Applicants interested in obtaining this credit should consult with their tax advisor. The NPS and the SHPO do not review these projects.
NOTE: "CERTIFIED HISTORIC STRUCTURES" DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE 10% CREDIT.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?
State
Historic Preservation Office
Oklahoma Historical Society
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405)521-6249