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Learn about the fundamentals of historic tax credits, types of buildings and rehabilitations that qualify, claiming the tax credit, limitations, and recapture rules after Hurricane Katrina in this informative session.
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Rebuilding Communities after Hurricane Katrina Historic Tax Credits 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Friday, March 30, 2007 By: Merrill Hoopengardner, Esq.
Two Types of Rehabilitation Tax Credits • Older (pre-1936), non-historic and non-residential buildings: 10 percent of qualified rehabilitated expenditures. • GO Zone Act raises to 13 percent • Historic buildings: 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation expenditures. • GO Zone Act raises to 26 percent
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditFundamentals • Tax aspects administered by the IRS. • Preservation aspects jointly administered by NPS and State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs). • Tax Credits = dollar for dollar reduction in tax liability (contrast with deduction). • RTC is the most important (in dollar volume) federal preservation program. • GO Zone modifications in Notice 2006-38 and the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005.
What Types of Buildings Qualify? • IRS Rule • Depreciable • “Building” • NPS Rule • Certified Historic Structure • Listed on the National Register • Building is located in a registered historic district and certified by the Secretary of the Interior as being of historic significance to the district
What Types of Rehabilitations Qualify? • IRS Rule • Substantial Rehabilitation • The QREs incurred during any 24-month period** selected by the taxpayer and ending in the taxable year in which the building is placed in service must exceed the greater of (1) $5,000, or (2) the adjusted basis of the building. • ** 60 months in certain instances • GO Zone - Measuring period tolled for 12 months. • NPS Rule • Certified Rehabilitation • Certified by NPS as consistent with the historic character of the structure or of the historic district in which the structure is located.
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditCalculating the Allowable Credit • Credit equals 20% of all QREs incurred: • Prior to the start of the 24-month period selected; during the 24-month period; and after the last day of the 24-month period (but before the last day of the tax year in which the measuring period ends). • Credits equal 26% in GO Zone.
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditWhen is the Credit Allowed? • Credit is generally allowed in the year in which the building is placed in service (provided substantial rehabilitation test has been met). • “Placement in Service” means that all or identifiable portions of the building is placed in a condition or state of readiness and available for a specifically assigned function. • For GO Zone credit, QREs must be paid or incurred by December 31, 2008.
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditWho Can Claim the Credit? • The Credits belong to the taxpayer(s) that owns title to the property when the QREs are placed in service. • A landlord that incurs QREs can elect to pass the credit to its long-term tenants. • Long-term tenants can claim credits on the QREs they incur themselves. • When property owner is a pass through entity, the Credits are allocated in accordance with taxable profits.
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditLimitations on Claiming the Credit • Insufficient tax liability. • Business Tax Credit limitations ($25K + 75%). • Passive Activity Rules. • At-risk Rules. • Alternative Minimum Tax. • Tutorial available at http://trustwork2.nthp.org/community-partners/taxcreditguide/index.html.
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditRecapture • Credit previously allowed is recaptured if any portion of the project which includes QREs is disposed of prior to the fifth anniversary of placement in service. • Amount subject to recapture decreases by 20% during each year of the five year period.
The 20% Rehabilitation Tax CreditRecapture • Disposition includes any sale, exchange, transfer, gift or casualty. Subsequent rehabs that do not comply with the Secretary’s Standards can trigger recapture. • GO Zone – 36-month safe harbor period for rebuilding • Reduction of a partners interest can be deemed a disposition (33% rule).
Thank you Merrill Hoopengardner, Esq. 401 9th Street, NWSuite 900Washington, DC 20004202.585.8169 202.585.8080 (Fax) mhoopengardner@nixonpeabody.com