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Home > Tax Incentives > The Substantial Rehabilitation Credit

The Substantial Rehabilitation Credit

Fireplace Detail, Cushman House, Auburn – Certified December, 2008

The "Substantial Rehabilitation Credit" is a 25% state credit for any rehabilitation that also qualifies for the Federal Tax Incentive Program. This credit is so named because a rehabilitation under the Federal program is required to meet the "substantial rehabilitation" threshold, meaning the rehabilitation expenditures must exceed the adjusted basis of the property or $5,000, whichever is greater. The Substantial Rehabilitation Credit is a "piggyback" onto the Federal credit and therefore does not require a separate State application, and cannot be claimed unless the Federal credit is also claimed. In order to apply for this state credit, the applicant must follow the requirements of the Federal tax incentive program. The three-part federal Historic Preservation Certification Application (HPCA) forms and supplemental materials must be submitted in accordance with the Federal application instructions, along with Parts A and B of the Maine State Rehabilitation Tax Credit Reporting Form. Please carefully review Maine's Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Rules (Chapter 813) prior to application.

Substantial Rehabilitation Credit checklist

Federal Historic Preservation Certification Application - Part 1 - Evaluation of Significance

  • Submit two completed Federal Part 1 Historic Preservation Certification Applications with the owner's original signature on both copies.
  • If the property is located within a historic district, provide a map of the district (two copies), clearly identifying the lot on which the building is located.
  • Two sets of good, clear, labeled photographs.

See HPCA application instructions for further guidance.

Please note that submission of Part 1 is generally not required if the property is individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. However, if the property is individually listed, and consists of more than one building, a Part 1 must be submitted that documents all of the buildings within the listing.

Part 2 - Description of Rehabilitation Work

  • Submit two completed Federal Part 2 Historic Preservation Certification Applications with the owner's original signature on both copies.
  • Two sets of good, clear, labeled photographs showing the condition of the property prior to rehabilitation work.
  • Numbered architectural drawings keyed to the application narrative.
  • Federal fee payment form, if applicable.
  • Part A of the Maine State Rehabilitation Tax Credit Reporting Form

See HPCA application instructions for further guidance.

Part 3 - Request for Certification of Completed Work

  • Submit two completed Federal Part 3 Historic Preservation Certification Applications with the owner's original signature on both copies.
  • Two sets of good, clear, labeled photographs showing the condition of the property after rehabilitation work.
  • Federal fee payment form, if applicable.
  • Part B of the Maine State Rehabilitation Tax Credit Reporting Form

See HPCA application instructions for further guidance