🏛️ Ohio Historic Tax Credits: The Secret Weapon for Restoring Old Homes

May, 20th 2025

If you’ve ever dreamed of restoring a beautiful old home—peeling back carpet to reveal original hardwood, reviving stained-glass windows, or bringing a century-old porch back to life—there’s something you need to know:

Ohio might pay you to do it.

Yep. That’s not a rumor. It’s real.
Thanks to the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, homeowners and developers can get serious financial help when investing in the rehabilitation of certified historic properties.

Let’s break it down in plain English.

🏡 What is the Ohio Historic Tax Credit?

The Ohio Historic Tax Credit is a state-funded incentive designed to encourage the revitalization of historic buildings by offering up to 25% of qualified rehabilitation expenses as a tax credit.

This applies mostly to income-producing properties (like rentals or commercial buildings), but there are still local programs and federal credits for owner-occupied homes—so don’t click away if you’re just buying a charming Victorian for yourself!

🧾 What Counts as “Qualified Rehabilitation Expenses”?

Think:

• Roof replacement

• Restoring woodwork or masonry

• Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing upgrades

• Historic window preservation

• ADA accessibility (yes, modern improvements that don’t destroy character can qualify)

💡 What doesn’t usually count: landscaping, new additions, luxury upgrades, or anything that strays too far from the building’s historic character.

🗺️ Is Your Property Eligible?

To qualify, your property must:

• Be listed on the National Register of Historic Places

• OR be located in a registered historic district and be certified as historic by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office

• AND the restoration must meet federal preservation standards (aka, don’t rip out original features or replace the exterior with vinyl siding 🙃)

If you’re buying in neighborhoods like Hamilton’s Dayton Lane, Middletown’s Highlands District, or Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine, chances are, you’re already in the right zone.

💰 How Much Can You Get?

• State of Ohio Credit: Up to 25% of eligible expenses (max of $5 million per project for commercial)

• Federal Credit (if income-producing): Another 20% federal tax credit can stack on top
  That’s potentially 45% of your project rebated back to you at tax time.

Yes. Almost half. Let that sink in.

📅 When Should You Apply?

BEFORE you start any work.

This is critical. If you demo or replace something without approval, you could lose the credit entirely. Always apply first, restore second.

Applications are accepted twice a year, and it’s competitive—so have your ducks (and drawings) in a row.

👷‍♀️ Should I Use a Specialist?

Short answer? Yes.
You’ll want an architect or contractor who’s worked with historic tax credits before. The application process is detailed, and working with the Ohio History Connection (our state’s preservation agency) requires some finesse.

I work with a few pros who specialize in this—let me know if you want a referral!

🔑 The Bottom Line

If you’re willing to preserve a piece of Ohio’s history, the state is willing to meet you halfway—literally.
Historic tax credits can:

• Offset renovation costs

• Add long-term value

• And make your dream restoration a whole lot more doable

✨ Need Help Finding the Right Historic Property?

This is my passion. I live and breathe Ohio’s historic districts—from grand Queen Annes to sturdy brick Four Squares. If you’re curious about buying and restoring one (with or without credits), I’d love to help guide the journey.

📩 Reach out anytime or browse listings here on Historic-Oh.com!