Historic Tax Credits

Baltimore City has a wealth of historic properties and historic districts!  If you own a home in an historic district, or if you are looking to purchase a home with the charm of history, we want to make sure you know about several great historic preservation and rehabilitation tax credit programs! 

Baltimore City Historic Properties 

For a list of neighborhoods in the National Register of Historic Districts and the Baltimore City Historic Districts, visit the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) website at www.baltimorecity.gov/government/historic/maps.php .

To determine if your property falls within a National, State, or City level historic district, you can also use Baltimore City's iMAP feature at http://maps.baltimorecity.gov/imap .

Baltimore City Historic Restoration and Rehabilitation Property Tax Credit

This program was designed to encourage historic restoration and preservation in Baltimore City.

What are the benefits?
This is a 10-year program, with the credit granted on the increased value of a historic property due solely to the qualified historic improvements.

What else do I need to know?
This program applies to residential and income property.
Properties located in national register and/or locally designated historic areas are eligible.
The rehabilitation costs must exceed 25% of the pre-rehabilitation cash value of the property.
All unused credit is fully transferable to a new purchaser
All work plans must be approved by CHAP BEFORE beginning any work.
As this is an historic preservation program, rehabiltation work must conform to historic standards.  Projects such as painting, sanding, installing plumbing, air conditioning, re-working foundations, and more ARe eligible for this credit.  There are projects, like removing historic components of the house and installing vinyl windows or siding that are NOT eligible.  It is recommended that you contact CHAP or a consultant to determine project eligiblity.

For more information, including application information, contact:
Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation
417 East Fayette St, 8th floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410.396.4866
Website: www.baltimorecity.gov/government/historic/index.php

Maryland State Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program

This program, administered by the Maryland State Historical Trust, provides an income tax credit for eligible renovation to historic structures.

What are the benefits?
An income tax credit equal to 20% of the qualified renovation costs.

What else do I need to know?
This program applies to residential and income property.
Properties located in national register and/or locally designated historic areas are eligible.
A minimum of $5,000 of renovation work must be done.
All work plans must be approved by the Maryland Historic Trust BEFORE beginning any work.
As this is an historic preservation program, rehabiltation work must conform to historic standards.  Projects such as painting, sanding, installing plumbing, air conditioning, re-working foundations, and more ARe eligible for this credit.  There are projects, like removing historic components of the house and installing vinyl windows or siding that are NOT eligible.  It is recommended that you contact the Maryland Historic Trust or a consultant to determine project eligiblity.
The Maryland Historical Trust will charge a fee of 1% of the amount of the tax credit.

For more information, contact:
Maryland Historical Trust
Office of Preservation Services
Phone: 410.514.7628
Website: www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net

Helpful Historic Preservation Links

Baltimore Heritage, Inc.
www.baltimoreheritage.org

Historic Districts Council of Baltimore
hdcbaltimore.org

Preservation Maryland
www.preservemd.org

National Trust for Historic Preservation
www.nationaltrust.org

National Register of Historic Places
www.cr.nps.gov/nr