Use of the Tax Credit Incentive Program is not limited only to developers and large commercial buildings. This New Orleans house, now a bed and breakfast, is a recent example of the program at work. The Tax Credit incentive Program has been used quite successfully in New Orleans to rehabilitate housing for low income residents.(Uptown Historic District, Orleans Parish) Developers often use the Tax Credit Incentive program to help finance large rehabilitation projects like the Jefferson Hotel in Caddo Parish. The Tax Act staff is available to assist with projects throughout the state. This building in Opelousas was successfully rehabilitated using the State Commercial Tax Credit Program. It is now an excellent addition to the downtown. View the interior before and after photos of this State Tax Credit project in Opelousas. This residence on Royal Street in New Orleans was successfully rehabilitated using the Residential Tax Credit Program.

Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit Update 2023

Beginning August 15, 2023, all Federal historic preservation certification applications must be submitted electronically, both new applications submitted to the Division of Historic Preservation and materials submitted directly to NPS in response to requests for additional information. Technical Preservation Services has issued application forms and instructions for electronic submission, which are available on the TPS website. Older versions of the Federal applications will no longer be accepted after the August 15th deadline.  

NPS has scheduled a training webinar on electronic submission for program users. Use the link below to register for the webinar:

Wednesday, August 9 at 3pm (CST)

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2040360861249372768


Electronic Submission of Applications

The Division of Historic Preservation will begin accepting digital State and Federal tax credit applications beginning August 1, 2023, via Google form submission. To submit applications electronically via this form, applicants must create a free Google account with a Gmail address. Applicants who cannot do so may submit digital applications via a mailed USB drive. The link to the electronic submission portal will be posted on the Tax Incentives website on August 1st. All submitted documents for Federal projects must follow NPS requirements for file format, size, and labeling. Additional labeling conventions for State application forms and State-only project documents will be posted separately.

State tax credit projects not pursuing Federal certification may still be submitted in hard copy until October 30, 2023. 


State Commercial Tax Credit Update 2023

During the 2023 Louisiana Legislative Session, a bill was passed that amends the Louisiana Historic Rehabilitation program, as set forth by R.S. 47:6019. Act 426 was signed on June 27, 2023 by Governor John Bel Edwards and will take effect on August 1, 2023.

The amendment will have the following impacts:

  • The program sunset date will be extended to January 1, 2029.
  • The program will expand qualifying criteria to include buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including those that contribute to a National Register District and those that are individually listed on the National Register.
  • The credit will be increased to 25% for expenses occurring after January 1, 2023.
  • The credit will be further increased to 35% for expenses occurring after January 1, 2023 if the property is with an area defined as Rural. The legislation uses the most recent Census data to define Rural as: 
    • o A Parish with a population of less than 100,000
    • o A municipality with a population of less than 35,000
    • o Unincorporated areas within Parishes that have a population over 100,000. 

 New State Commercial Tax Credit applications were made available July 24, 2023 to reflect the most recent amendment to the State Historic Tax Credit program legislation, as well as to assist in our transition to accepting digital applications. Older versions of the State application forms will no longer be accepted after October 30, 2023.















To view past issues of the Historic Tax Credit Update click here Archived Historic Tax Credit Update News.

 

Contact Information
Phone (225) 342-8200
Fax (225) 219-9772

Mailing Address: Tax Incentives Staff, Division of Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 44247
Baton Rouge, LA  70804

Overnight Mail: Tax Incentives Staff, Division of Historic Preservation
4th Floor, 1051 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA  70802

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