State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program Application Guide
Summary
California's State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program provides tax credits of 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures, with 25% available for projects meeting specific criteria. Budgeted allocations include $2,000,000 for residential properties, $8,000,000 for buildings with QRE under $1 million, and $40,000,000 for buildings with QRE of $1 million or more (though funding is exhausted for the latter category). Property owners must submit Initial Project Applications with fees to be considered, and properties must be listed in or eligible for the California Register and/or National Registers.
“A certified historic building with qualified rehabilitation expenditure (QRE) of $1 million or more”
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GovPing monitors CA Office of Historic Preservation for new government & legislation regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
What changed
This page describes California's State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, an existing initiative offering tax credits for rehabilitating eligible historic residential and income-producing properties. No new regulatory obligations are created. The primary update is the funding status: the >$1 million QRE category ($40,000,000 allocation) has been exhausted and is not currently accepting applications, while the residential and <$1 million QRE categories remain open. Property owners, developers, and investors interested in historic preservation tax incentives should verify current funding availability for their allocation category before preparing applications.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
For the latest information about the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, visit State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Updates
The State of California offers tax credits for the rehabilitation of eligible historic residential and income-producing properties.
Below you will find:
- General program overview
- Application instructions and forms For complete SHRTC information, download and read the 10-page SHRTC Program Regulations
For complete SHRTC information, download and read the CTCAC Regulations
Do you have a historic home?
Learn about the California State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program for Residential Properties.
Do you have a historic commercial or income-producing property?
Learn about the federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program for Commercial and income-producing Properties.
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Allocation Categories
| #### Residential | #### Qualified Expenses Less than $1 Million | #### Qualified Expenses Greater than $1 Million |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeted allocation $2,000,000 | Budgeted allocation $8,000,000 | ~~Budgeted allocation $40,000,000~~ Funding has been exhausted |
We are currently not accepting applications
for this category |
| Minimum $25,000 qualified expenses | Minimum $25,000 qualified expenses | Minimum $25,000 qualified expenses |
| Property must be listed in the California Register or National Registers | Property must be eligible for or listed in the California and/or National Registers | Property must be eligible for or listed in the California and/or National Registers |
| Occupancy and income eligibility requirements | Dual projects must meet federal requirements | Dual projects must meet federal requirements |
| Credit capped at $25,000 | Credit available for 20% or 25% of QRE | Credit available for 20% or 25% of QRE |
When the total project estimated Qualified Rehabilitation Expenses exceed the funding allocated for the allocation category, OHP stops accepting applications for that category.
Application Forms and Instructions
These application forms are fillable PDFs. Download the form and fill in the fields as directed. Save the completed form and name the file.
Please read the instructions thoroughly and complete the forms.
Incomplete applications will be placed on hold until a completed application is provided.
Application Instructions (v. 5/24)
Application Forms
Initial Project Application Sections 1, 2 and 3 (v5/24)
Section 2: Application Narrative (v5/24)
Section 2: Amendment Form (v5/24)
Completed Project Application Sections 4 and 5 (v5/24)
Program Overview
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program
Qualified rehabilitation projects may receive a tax credit of 20% of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures (QREs). Some projects may qualify for a 25% tax credit if certain criteria are met (see Appendix D of the Application Instructions).
Residential projects costing less than $25,000 in QREs do not qualify for the tax credit. Residential projects with a QRE greater than $125,000 are limited to the $25,000 tax credit allocation cap.
Funds for the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit have been allocated into three categories:
- A certified historic structure that is a qualified residence
- A certified historic building with qualified rehabilitation expenditures (QRE) of less than $1 million
- A certified historic building with qualified rehabilitation expenditure (QRE) of $1 million or more Applications will be reviewed until the allocated funds for that application category are depleted for the year.
A completed Initial Project Application and application fees must be submitted to be considered.
Dual Projects
Dual projects still in construction are only required to submit the state Initial Application Form and the fee.
Dual projects completed after January 1, 2022 are only required to submit the Completed Project Application form, including all statistical information, and the entire fee computed from the final QRE.
No additional requirements beyond the previously submitted federal submission that was transmitted separately are needed.
Related Pages
STAFF CONTACT:
SHRTC Webinar Archive
Two webinars were hosted to introduce the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program and answer questions. The recordings are posted to YouTube and linked below.
November 26 Webinar (YouTube)
December 3 Webinar (YouTube)
A PDF of the webinar slide show is available here:
Orientation to State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program
Incentives and Grants
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