HTCC Advocacy Toolkit

At the close of 2017, the long-awaited GOP tax reform plan was enacted.  Throughout the legislative process, the federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) was at risk, but thanks to the immense efforts of our Coalition members, grassroots advocates, and selected lawmakers—it survived.

The credit was altered in the final bill, but with more tax legislation planned in 2018 and beyond, we need the continued engagement of interested parties to ensure the HTC is enhanced but not further weakened or even eliminated.

The documents and tools compiled in this Tool Kit as well as the advocacy tools found on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HTC webpage proved to be invaluable supporting information when advocating for the preservation and improvement of this vital credit.  Please use them for your own advocacy.

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• HTC Talking Points
  • Use these talking points when advocating for the federal HTC and the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act.
• Historic Tax Credit Impact Maps – Statewide Information (FY2016)
  • Provide your member of Congress with a map that details the impact of the federal HTC in your state.
  • These maps are particularly useful when lobbying Senate members.
• Historic Tax Credit Impact Maps — Selected Congressional Districts
  • Provide your member of Congress with a map that details the impact of the federal HTC in your state.
  • These maps are particularly useful when lobbying House members.
• Video of President Reagan Promoting the Historic Tax Credit
  • A video made to promote the HTC with President Reagan’s own words and Stephanie Meeks front he National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Latest Economic Impact Report
  • See a summary and the full report from the National Park Service on the HTC’s Economic Imapct
• Capitol Hill Sign-on Letter
  • The 34 Members of Congress who wrote to Chairman Brady asking him to preserve the HTC in Tax Reform.
• Historic Tax Credit Coalition Overview
  • This 2-page document introduces the Coalition and includes new members.
• Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act Description – 2017
  • Use this link to view the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2017 bill description, text and cosponsors.
  • H.R. 1158 – Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2017 –Text  (House Bill)
  • S. 425 – Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2017 — Text  (Senate Bill)
• HTCIA Bill Co-Sponsors – 115th Congress (Current)
  • Use this document as a reference when discussing legislators in the current Congress who support HTC legislation.
  • You may also use this document to sign up for new co-sponsorship alerts.
• Site Visit Cheat-Sheet
  • Use this document as a reference when coordinating a site visit with a congressional office.
  • This document was produced by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• Advocacy 101 – Your Lobbying Tip Sheet
  • Use this lobbying tip sheet as you prepare to advocate for the HTC.
• Community Reinvestment Act Article
  • This article, authored by HTCC Chairman John Leith-Tetrault and published in the Novogradac Journal on Tax Credits, may be used to help clarify when the federal HTC qualifies for CRA credit.
• HTCC Advocacy Webinar
  • View this powerpoint presentation for a brief overview of how to advocate effectively for the HTC during tax reform.
• HTC Campaign Contacts
  • Use this document as a reference for lobbyists and administrators in the HTC campaign.

In addition to the advocacy documents listed above, please also utilize the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Leadership Forum’s toolkit. This webpage houses valuable HTC impact maps that can be used to demonstrate the ability of the HTC to change main streets and the cores of cities across the country.

Novogradac and Company has also produced a useful mapping tool you may utilize to create a map of your hometown or congressional district in order to augment your advocacy.

Category: Tools and Handouts