Iowa’s Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit Program Evaluation Study

Executive Summary: Iowa introduced the Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District (HPCED) Tax Credit Program in 2000. The program allows property owners or developers to claim tax credits equal to 25 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs for eligible historic properties in Iowa. In tax year 2002, the tax credit was made transferable and refundable at a discounted amount. In tax year 2005, the cap of the tax credit was increased to $6.5 million per year. In tax year 2007, the cap of the tax credit was increased to $10 million for fiscal year 2008, $15 million for fiscal year 2009, and $20 million for fiscal year 2010 and subsequent years. In addition, the tax credit was made fully refundable in 2007. The major findings of the study are:...