Pittsburgh Condo Tax Abatements
Buying a newer condo in the City of Pittsburgh? Many new and converted condo buildings in Downtown, the Strip District and Lawrenceville were built with a city tax abatement, which lowers the city and school district real estate taxes on the value of the new construction for a set number of years. When you buy a unit, the years remaining usually transfer to you. Here’s how Pittsburgh’s abatement programs work, and which condo communities listings reported as having one.
Pittsburgh Condos with Tax Abatements
These are the condo communities where recent West Penn MLS listings (sales from November 2023 to October 2026) mentioned a tax abatement, with what the most recent listings said about how long it runs. Abatements are usually tied to each unit’s parcel and approval date, so units in the same building can have different end dates.
| Condo community | Neighborhood | What listings reported | Recent sale range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumiere | Downtown | 10-year LERTA abatement that transfers to the buyer (27 listings mentioned it) | $283K–$1.55M |
| Penn 23 | Strip District | 10-year LERTA abatement on city taxes | $465K–$2.16M |
| The Refinery | Strip District | LERTA abatement on city and school taxes, reported to run until about 2030 | $314K–$842K |
| Mews on Butler | Lawrenceville | 10-year abatement; recent listings reported about 4 years remaining, with some units running through tax year 2031 | $684K–$812K |
| 3809 Liberty Ave | Lawrenceville | 10-year Act 42 city abatement (new building, 2025–2026 sales) | $229K–$285K |
| 2554 Smallman | Strip District | About 5 years remaining as of early 2026 | $380K–$765K |
| The Maginn Lofts (915 Liberty Ave) | Downtown | 10-year abatement | $750K–$950K |
| Forte | Strip District | 3-year city abatement (tax years 2025–2027 on recent units) | $398K–$1.07M |
| 941 Penn Ave | Downtown | Remaining abatement transfers to the buyer; recent listings reported it running through 2027 | $480K–$510K |
| McCleary School Condominiums | Lawrenceville | Abatement reported good until 2027 or 2028, depending on the unit | $190K–$362K |
| Auditorium Condominiums | South Side | 10-year abatement | $340K–$375K |
| Otto Milk Building | Strip District | About 2 years left as of late 2025 | $373K–$555K |
| Smallman Place | Strip District | LERTA abatement reported in effect until the end of 2026 | $485K–$1.0M |
Don’t see a building? Ask us. Abatements are approved parcel by parcel, and a listing may not mention one. The City of Pittsburgh also publishes a list of abated parcels on the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center.
How Pittsburgh Tax Abatements Work
- What’s abated: the added assessed value from new construction or major improvements, not the land or the value that existed before. Abatements typically apply to City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh School District taxes; Allegheny County taxes are handled separately.
- Older programs: many existing abatements were approved under the city’s Act 42 residential program (standard and “enhanced” versions) or under residential LERTA, often for 10 years and up to $250,000 of improvement value per year in the enhanced program.
- Current program: since July 1, 2020, the City has consolidated its abatements into new programs under Chapters 265, 267 and 268 of the City Code, available citywide, with larger “enhanced” abatements for projects that meet affordable housing or job goals. Owners must apply within 180 days of the building permit.
- Downtown LERTA: approved in 2024 by the City, the County and the Pittsburgh School District to encourage converting Downtown office buildings into housing. It abates the value of new improvements for projects that meet affordable housing or job requirements, and in late 2025 the City said a state change extends the term from 10 to 20 years.
- When it ends: taxes rise to the full amount when the abatement ends. Budget for the full tax bill, not just the abated one.
Tips for Buying a Condo with a Tax Abatement
- Ask the seller for the abatement approval letter and its start and end years, and check the current tax bill.
- Look up the unit’s assessed value and taxes on the Allegheny County Real Estate Portal, and estimate the tax bill without the abatement.
- Compare buildings on total monthly cost (mortgage, condo fee and full taxes), not just the abated taxes.
- Remember that transfer tax is 5% in the City of Pittsburgh; an abatement doesn’t change it.
- Our Condo Financing Specialist can show you how a lender treats abated taxes when you qualify.
Free download: Top 10 Luxury and High-Rise Condos in Downtown Pittsburgh →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pittsburgh condo tax abatements transfer to a new owner?
Usually, yes. An abatement is attached to the property, so the years remaining generally continue after a sale. Many listings at Lumiere, 941 Penn Ave, Mews on Butler and The Refinery say the abatement transfers to the buyer. Confirm the remaining years with the seller and the City’s Department of Finance.
Which Pittsburgh condos have tax abatements?
In recent listings, abatements were most often reported at newer buildings in Downtown, the Strip District and Lawrenceville, including Lumiere, Penn 23, The Refinery, Forte, 941 Penn Ave, Mews on Butler and McCleary School Condominiums. See the table above for what listings reported at each.
How much does a Pittsburgh tax abatement save?
It depends on the abated value and the years left. City and Pittsburgh School District taxes together are a large share of a city property tax bill, so an abatement on a newer condo can save thousands of dollars a year until it ends. Ask for the current tax bill and estimate the full bill without the abatement.
Can I apply for a tax abatement when I buy a condo?
Generally not. Abatements are approved for new construction or major improvements, and the City requires an application within 180 days of the building permit, so they’re usually arranged by the developer or the owner doing the work. As a buyer you inherit any years that remain.
Do tax abatements apply to Allegheny County taxes?
Not automatically. The City’s enhanced programs cover City and School District taxes; County abatements, such as the County’s Act 42 residential abatement, are separate and shorter. Check the unit’s County tax bill.
Questions About a Specific Building?
Call the My Pittsburgh Condo team at (724) 933-8500 or contact us. We’ll confirm abatement terms, taxes and fees before you write an offer.
Sources: West Penn MLS listing remarks (sales November 2023 to October 2026); City of Pittsburgh Department of Finance and 311 tax abatement information; City of Pittsburgh tax abatement application (Chapters 265 and 267); Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (Downtown LERTA, February 2024); Councilman Bobby Wilson’s statement on the Downtown LERTA extension (December 2025); City of Pittsburgh property tax abatements dataset (WPRDC). Abatement terms vary by parcel; this page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Last updated October 2026.