The Absent Minded

Historic buildings are something to be valued and remembered through the future generations. Missouri has gone a step beyond other states in providing for a means of upkeep with these wonderful properties by allowing for owners to apply for tax credits. With a little work, you can get substantial cash breaks.

In order to apply for this tax credit, you will need to have your property recognized as being a historical landmark. You should have your own place on the National Register of Historic Places- which an accountant will likely be able to help you do. Even though the majority of the list may be properties with actual history, you can also gain entry on the list by having renowned architecture, meaning to culture, or otherwise have an impact on the surrounding area.

There are two main numbers that those wishing to renovate their historic properties should remember. First, you will gain up to 25% in tax credit in the overall expense of a renovation project. Even still, some requirements will be present- such as the fact that you should have at least 50% of the basis in the building or property, so as to cover up loopholes in the system.

If you know of a few investors who wouldn’t mind taking your tax credits, you can get a lump sum rather quickly in transferring the tax credit to such investors. This will enable you to better fund your project, and increase the odds of it being finished without financial problems. If you don’t know anyone, look online or go to a local investment agency.

Don’t view the tax credits as an easy break to do what you would like in a project- you will have to adhere to certain rules in what counts as a renovation and what doesn’t. The state of Missouri is actually fairly lenient in the matter- allowing for even insurance premiums to be counted in the overall costs. You will still have to keep out fences, walkways, and landscaping fees among others- so be sure you know what can be counted and what isn’t.

You may combine these tax credits with others if you would like- meaning you can get a high return in tax credits if you work with an accountant that is keen on getting you the most substantial amount of reimbursement possible. As such, you will likely want to work with an accountant that has an established practice where you live.

Closing Comments

Even if you decide to outsource the work of applying for tax credits to professional help, you should remain at least somewhat knowledgeable about the subject so that you can make wise decisions on where to take your renovation project after you get it up and going.

Learn more about Missouri Tax Credit Resources and Missouri Historic Tax Credit Broker.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 12:48 am and is filed under Finance, General, Home And Family, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.