Using State Historic Tax Credits

The Rhode Island Historic Tax Credit helps you restore your historic income-producing building by making preservation work more affordable. If your preservation project is approved, you will receive a credit on your state income tax return. We encourage applicants to discuss their project with one of our staff architects before beginning work. 

Please note that the submission process for tax credit applications is now entirely paperless. 

For more information, contact Virginia Hesse or Roberta Randall.

The State tax credit application process begins with an application to the Rhode Island Division of Taxation (see the advisory and application). This enters your project into the state tax credit queue, but does not guarantee an award. The Division of Taxation will notify applicants in writing when an allocation of tax credits has been reserved for their project, and within ninety (90) days, applicants must file the following with our office:

• Part 1/Certification of Historical Significance
• Part 2/Certification of Proposed Rehabilitation

The State HTC fee is 3% of Qualified Rehabilitation Expenditures. Payment is made to the Rhode Island Division of Taxation when the Tax Credit Contract is signed and after our office has approved the proposed rehabilitation project. 

Applications must be filed before the project is completed. See Causes for Denial.

When the project is completed, applicants must file Part 3/Certification of Completed Rehabilitation with the State Historic Preservation Office. Applicants also must file information with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, including a cost certification for the completed project.