What are historic tax credits?

Historic tax credits are financial incentives for residential or commercial rehabilitation projects that require property-owners to follow certain preservation standards. Baltimore City has nearly 70 neighborhoods that are designated as historic districts containing over 50,000 residential and commercial buildings. Thousands of home-owners and business owners across Baltimore City have used city, state and federal historic tax credits for rehabilitation projects on everything from small rowhouses in Seton Hill to large developments like the American Can Company building in Canton.

When should I apply?

In all cases, you must apply and receive approval before starting work on your project. Projects that have already been started or completed before receiving approval are not eligible for historic tax credits.

This application process will determine if your proposed project meets the CHAP design guidelines (PDF) or the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Am I eligible for historic tax credits?

Eligibility requirements for properties and projects vary between the city, state and federal historic tax credit programs. Your property must be an individual landmark or a “contributing resource” within a historic district. Historic districts are designated by CHAP or the National Register of Historic Places.

Learn more about historic districts

Historic Tax Credit Programs

There are four different historic tax credit programs available for homeowners, small commercial property owners, and larger commercial property owners in Baltimore. A variety of other programs are available that may be combined with historic tax credits or other historic rehabilitation projects including energy efficiency incentives for residential properties or commercial properties. Please also take a look at our funding guide for historic preservation projects for information on grant and loan programs.

Baltimore City Historic Tax Credit

The Baltimore City Commission on Historic and Architectural Preservation administers a 10-year comprehensive property tax credit granted on the increased assessment directly resulting from qualifying improvements to historic properties. Both homeowners and commercial properties are eligible for this tax credit. Contact Stacy Montgomery at stacy.montgomery@baltimorecity.gov or (410) 396-4866 for more information.

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Eligible properties must be either an individual landmark or a contributing resource within a local or national historic district. Eligible projects require expenditures of at least 25% of the full cash value of your property.
Applications must include photographs, a detailed scope of work, and a $50 review fee. Applications are submitted online through the Baltimore Department of Finance. Read the instructions (PDF) for more information.

Maryland Homeowner Historic Tax Credit

The Maryland Historical Trust administers a state income tax credit for homeowners equal to 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures. This tax credit may be combined with the Baltimore historic tax credit but MHT review is independent of local review and may not be waived or substituted for local approval. The credit is capped at $50,000 in a 24-month period.

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Eligible properties must be single-family, owner-occupied residences. They must also be either an individual landmark or a contributing resource within a historic district listed by CHAP or the National Register. Eligible projects must include qualified expenditures of at least $5,000 over a two-year period and meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Application materials include the Part 1 and Part 2 application forms with photographs and a detailed scope of work. Applications are submitted by mail to the Maryland Historical Trust and are typically reviewed within 30-45 days of receipt.

Maryland Small Commercial Historic Tax Credit

The Maryland Historical Trust administers a state income tax credit for commercial properties equal to 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures. Credits are capped at $50,000 in a 24 month period. This is a new program created to help fund modest rehabilitation projects that have struggled to compete for the large-scale commercial awards in the past. The state small commercial tax credit may be used with federal and local historic tax credits. Federal applications are reviewed by MHT in coordination with the National Park Service and should be submitted at the same time.

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Eligible properties must be “income-producing.” They must also be either a contributing resource within a local or national historic district, individually listed as a local landmark or on the National Register, or located within and certified as contributing to the Baltimore National Heritage Area. Eligible projects must include qualified expenditures of at least $5,000 over a two-year period and meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Eligible projects must not exceed $500,000 in total qualified rehabilitation expenses and must not be used for more than 75% residential rental purposes.
Applications are submitted by mail to the Maryland Historical Trust. MHT began accepting applications on September 1, 2014 for preliminary review, and will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until the program appropriation cap of $4 million is reached. Please note: projects cannot begin work and will not be certified before January 1, 2015.

Maryland Competitive Commercial Tax Credit

The Maryland Historical Trust administers a competitive program for income-producing properties to receive a state income tax credit (up to $3 million) equal to 20% of eligible rehabilitation expenses for rehabilitation projects with eligible expenses that exceed the total cash value of the building or $25,000 (whichever is greater).

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Federal Historic Tax Credit

The National Park Service administers a 20% income tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic income-producing buildings. A 10% tax credit is available for the rehabilitation of non-historic buildings constructed before 1936.

Learn more

Who uses historic tax credits?

Homeowners

Homeowners often use state historic tax credits for significant maintenance or rehabilitation projects. Larger projects are also eligible for the city tax credit. Typical work includes interior or exterior painting, repairing deteriorating porches or repointing brickwork.

Find more resources for homeowners.

Business Owners

Business owners or small developers should take a close look at the city historic tax credits and the state small commercial historic tax credit. Common projects include restoring storefront windows and upgrading HVAC or electrical systems.

Developers

Large scale developers use the city and federal historic tax credit. The state commercial tax program for larger project is available on a competitive basis. Typical projects include complete rowhouse rehabilitation projects or the adaptive reuse of a larger building like a school or factory.

Any questions?

Please get in touch by email or call 410-332-9992 if you have any general questions about historic tax credits for homeowners or other rehabilitation projects. If you are working with an architect on your rehabilitation project, they may be able to assist you in completing a tax credit application. You also may be interested in working with a local historic tax credit consultant.

Historic Tax Credit Consultants

Jubilee Baltimore assists homeowners in Midtown and Central Baltimore, including Bolton Hill, Mount Vernon, Madison Park, Greenmount West, and Old Goucher, with city and state historic tax credit applications. Contact Patricia Adams at patricia@jubileebaltimore.org or 443-759-0841 for more information.

O’Connell and Associates assists homeowners around the region with city and state historic tax credit applications. Contact Neil Junker at 410-837-5800 or neil@mdtaxcredits.com for more information.