IRS Information

Before You Apply

• Before You Apply
• Eligibility Requirements
• Functionally Related Structures
• IRS Information

The National Park Service and the Internal Revenue Service provide this information for use by applicants for the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives. Its purpose is to present an overview of pertinent topics. It should not be relied upon as definitive tax advice. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult their tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service about the tax implications of the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives.

Before submitting an application, consult your accountant or tax advisor to make sure that this federal tax credit is beneficial to you. Certain income and other restrictions may have a bearing on whether an owner is able to use the credit. The IRS administers the Department of the Treasury’s involvement with the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program.

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IRS website
Laws and Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Topical Tax Briefs
Audit Technique Guides
Forms and Instructions

Internal Revenue Service Website

A good place to start is this main page on the IRS website, Rehabilitation Tax Credit—Real Estate Tax Tips. It links to relevant laws and regulations, revenue procedures, frequently asked questions, topical tax briefs, and forms.

Laws and Regulations

• Internal Revenue Service Regulations 26 CFR 1.48-12. Qualified rehabilitated buildings; expenditures incurred after December 31, 1981

• Internal Revenue Code Section 47. Rehabilitation Credit

• Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 170(h). Qualified Charitable Contributions, as amended

• Revenue Procedure 2014-12 (Safe Harbor)

• Public Law No: 115-97 (December 22, 2017) amended the Internal Revenue Code, modified the 20% Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (with certain transition rules) and repealed the 10% non-historic tax credit

• Rehabilitation Credit Allocated Over a 5-Year Period (2020)

Frequently Asked Questions

Topical Tax Briefs

• Rehabilitation Credit and Low-Income Credit Compared

• Certified Historic Structure, Certified Rehabilitation, Late Submission of the Historic Preservation Certification Application

• Property Leased to Tax-Exempt Entitities, Tax-Exempt Partners

• Lessee's Ability to Claim the Rehabilitation Credit

• Rehabilitation Tax Credit Recapture

• Rehabilitation Credit - Qualified Rehabilitation Expenditures (QREs)

Audit Technique Guides

• Rehabilitation Tax Credit Audit Technique Guide (2002)

• Conservation Easement Audit Technique Guide (2018)

Forms and Instructions