Financial assistance for historic preservation
Due to COVID-19 and the 03/18/2020 earthquake the Rio Grande Building is closed until further notice. Contact Amber Anderson at amberanderson@utah.gov if you have any questions or need to submit an application. She may have intermittent access to her phone, 801-245-7277, but email is the best means of contact at this time.
Federal Historic Tax Credits
The Federal Investment Tax Credit program offers a 20% tax credit (not just deduction) to owners who rehabilitate qualified buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition to being listed on the NRHP, the program requires:
- Project costs exceed an “adjusted basis” amount
- Rehabilitation follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
- The building is used for income-producing purposes going forward.
We strongly recommend that you submit an application before starting work to avoid increased costs. Any work you begin without prior National Park Service approval is done at your own risk.
Find out more about the adjusted basis formula, program regulations, which expenses qualify, and the application process with the National Park Service.
Utah Historic Preservation Tax Credits
The Utah State Historic Preservation Tax Credit program offers a 20% tax credit (not just deduction) to owners who rehabilitate qualified buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to being listed the program requires:
- Project costs exceed $10,000
- The rehabilitation follows the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. For guidance on how to apply the Standards, see the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
- The building is used for residential purposes going forward. In the case of residential rental properties, the State credit can sometimes be combined with the Federal credit, resulting in a 40% tax credit.
A Part 1 & 2 Application must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to the completion of your overall project. You will not submit a Part 3 Application until after the entire project is complete. You may submit either application via email or by providing our office with a hard copy.
We strongly recommend that you submit an application before starting work to avoid increased costs. Any work you begin without prior SHPO approval is done at your own risk.
Other Resources
- Preservation Utah, a statewide non-profit organizations, provides low-interest loans as well as information on other resources available for rehabilitation projects.
- The Division of Housing and Community Development (801-468-0145) has information on low-income housing tax credits (for developers) or low-interest, first-time home buyer programs.