Iowa: tax incentives, credits and advisors
Iowa's state incentives include a transferable historic preservation credit that can be taken as fully refundable, and a refundable research and development credit.
Facts checked 2026-10-26 against the official sources linked below.
Below are the major Iowa incentives we could verify against an official source, grouped by type. This is not an exhaustive list of every state program. Credits flagged Transferable can be sold or assigned to another taxpayer under state rules; see transferable state tax credits. Each row shows the date we last checked it.
Iowa historic and building rehabilitation incentives
| Incentive | Type | Who qualifies | Amount, rate or cap | Transferable | Refundable | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic preservation and cultural and entertainment district tax credit | Credit | Owners completing qualified rehabilitations awarded by the Iowa Economic Development Authority | A percentage of qualified rehabilitation expenditures set by Iowa Code 404A.2; 5-year carryforward if taken as nonrefundable | Transferable: Yes; certificates may be transferred to any person or entity | Yes, if elected (fully refundable with interest) | Active | Iowa Admin. Code 701-501.48; Iowa Code 404A.2 Last verified 2026-10-26 |
Iowa research and development incentives
| Incentive | Type | Who qualifies | Amount, rate or cap | Transferable | Refundable | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and development tax credit | Credit (refundable) | IEDA-certified businesses with Iowa research under IRC 41 | Allocated pro rata by IEDA | No; not transferable | Yes | Active | Iowa EDFA, Iowa R&D Tax Credit Program Last verified 2026-10-26 |
Iowa housing incentives
| Incentive | Type | Who qualifies | Amount, rate or cap | Transferable | Refundable | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce housing tax credit | Credit | Developers building or rehabilitating qualifying housing awarded by IEDA | Up to 10% of investment (20% in Small Cities set-aside) plus a sales tax refund; benefits capped at $1 million per project | Not stated | Not stated | Active | Iowa EDFA, Workforce Housing Tax Credit Last verified 2026-10-26 |
Advisors located in Iowa
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Common questions
Can Iowa historic tax credits be transferred?
Yes. Certificates may be transferred to any person or entity, and the transferee chooses refundable or nonrefundable treatment.
Is the Iowa R&D credit transferable?
No. IEDA says the credit is refundable but not transferable.
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