- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Community Development
- Planning
- Historic District
- Tax Credits for Historic Preservation
Tax Credits for Historic Preservation
One of the first questions many people have when they consider purchasing an historic property, particularly one that needs improvement, is "What kind of help is out there for this project?". Fortunately, there are some great financial incentives at the federal, state, and local level that can help make the financial implications of restoring an historic property more manageable.
Qualifications
The type and amount of financial assistance depends on a number of things:
- Is the property considered a "certified historic structure"? In the City of Beaufort, any property either individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or listed as "Contributing" in the 1997 Beaufort County Above Ground Resources Survey is a "certified historic structure."
- Is the property going to be owner-occupied or income producing (e.g., rental or commercial)?
- Has this property been vacant and abandoned, and for how long?
Resources
Much research and compilation has been done both by the National Park Service and by the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office to help property owners figure out which tax credits they qualify for. Below is a list of links to different resources those two organizations have put together. The City of Beaufort also has its own local incentives for certain types of restoration and redevelopment, so those are listed as well. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Kelly in the Planning Department: 843-525-7011.
Federal incentives
Incentives for income-producing properties:
State incentives
Incentives for both owner-occupied and income-producing properties:
- Chart to help identify the type of credits you may qualify for - Preservation Hotline Number 11
- Incentives for easements
- Incentives for income-producing properties
- Incentives for owner-occupied properties
- Other incentives
Local incentives
Incentives for a variety of specific building types and scenarios:
- Bailey Bill: 10-year tax abatement