REAL ESTATE FAQ

1. What are the hours of operation for the Real Estate Office?
2. Where is the Real Estate Office located?
3. What is the phone number for the Real Estate Office?
4. How do I make my check payable for my City and School
   Real Estate Taxes?
5. How do I change the mailing address for my tax bills?
6. Do I need to notify anyone else if my mailing address has
   changed?
7. Can I pay my City and School District of Pittsburgh Real
   Estate Taxes by credit card?
8. Is there a fee for paying by credit card?
9. How are real estate taxes assessed?
10. What is the millage rate for city and school taxes?
11. What is millage?
12. When are taxes due?
13. Is penalty and interest charged on delinquent taxes?
14. When is interest charged?
15. Does the City and School District offer payment plans for delinquent taxes?
16. What happens if I don't pay my real estate taxes?
17. How often are Treasurer's sales held?
18. Are taxes billed on a calendar or fiscal year?
19. How do I get a receipt for my paid taxes?
20. I'm selling my home. How do I prove my taxes were paid?
21. Does anything else need to be done in order to get the tax
    certification?
22. I'm refinancing my home. How do I prove my taxes were
    paid?
23. Do I need to get a PWSA Compliance Certificate if I am
    only refinancing?
24. Does the City have any other requirements when I sell or
    refinance?
25. Does the City or School District offer any tax relief
    programs?
26. Does the City or School District offer any abatement programs?
27. How do I apply for the residential Act 42 abatement?
28. My property is in one of the 28 defined areas but only the
    City and School District participate in this program. What happens
    to my County taxes?
29. I have a commercial/industrial property. How do I apply for
    the Commercial LERTA Abatement?
30. I have a commercial/industrial property that I am converting
    to residential use. How do I apply for the Residential LERTA
    Abatement?

QUESTIONS ONLY FOR LIBRARY TAX

1. What is the Special Library Tax? I never had to pay it before - when did this happen?
2. Why am I receiving two (2) property tax bills this year? Do I have to pay both?
3. I read in the paper that we are receiving two property tax bills this year. I only received the one for the City, not for the Special Library Tax. Why?
4. What is the agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to collect the Special Library Tax?
5. Why has the Library agreed to pay the City of Pittsburgh to collect the Special Library Tax? Shouldn’t the City be legally obligated to collect city-approved taxes?
6. Won’t this impact the Library’s budget negatively?
7. Is the Library prepared to put a lien on properties if property owners do not pay the tax?
8. Can I pay my bill for the Library tax by credit card? Can I pay in installments?
9. How do I make my check payable for the Special Library Tax?
10. Can I pay my bill at a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch?
11. Are the City’s tax relief programs (Homestead – Act 50 or Senior Relief) applicable to the Special Library Tax?
    
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1. WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE REAL ESTATE OFFICE?
   The Real Estate counter is open 8:15 AM through 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The cashier window is open 8:15 AM through 4:00 PM.
2. WHERE IS THE REAL ESTATE OFFICE LOCATED?
   The office is located in the City-County Building at 414 Grant Street on the first floor. The mailing address is: City of Pittsburgh, Real Estate Office, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
3. WHAT IS THE PHONE NUMBER FOR THE REAL ESTATE OFFICE?
   The phone number for general real estate tax questions is
   412-255-2525.
4. HOW DO I MAKE MY CHECK PAYABLE FOR MY CITY AND SCHOOL REAL ESTATE TAXES?
   Make your check payable to “Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh” and mail it to City of Pittsburgh, Real Estate Tax Dept., 414 Grant St., Pittsburgh PA 15219.
5. HOW DO I CHANGE THE MAILING ADDRESS FOR MY TAX BILLS?
   Address changes can be made over the phone by calling 412-255-2525, or by writing to: City of Pittsburgh, Real Estate Office, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
   
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6. DO I NEED TO NOTIFY ANYONE ELSE IF MY MAILING ADDRESS CHANGED?
   Yes, you also need to notify the Allegheny County Treasurer of your change in address for real estate tax bills. You can call 412-350-4100 to update the address with Allegheny County. If you do not notify them the address change you made with the City will not be permanent.
7. CAN I PAY MY CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH REAL ESTATE TAXES BY CREDIT CARD?
   Yes, you can pay with American Express, Discover Card, Master Card or Visa. To pay by credit card visit www.officialpayments.com or call
   1-800-2PAY-TAX (Use Jurisdiction Code 4857).
8. IS THERE A FEE FOR PAYING BY CREDIT CARD?
   Yes, there is a convenience fee of 2.5% of the payment amount. This fee is separate from the Real Estate Tax payment and is paid to Official Payments Corp. It will be calculated by Official Payments Corp. at the time you make your tax payment.
9. HOW ARE REAL ESTATE TAXES ASSESSED?
   City and School Real Estate Taxes are billed on the fair market value of the property as determined by the Allegheny County Office of Property Assessments.
10. WHAT IS THE MILLAGE RATE FOR CITY AND SCHOOL TAXES?
    The 2011 City Real Estate Tax rate is 10.8 mills. The 2011 School District Real Estate Tax rate is 13.92 mills.
    
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11. WHAT IS MILLAGE?
    A mill is 1/10 of a cent. On a $1,000.00 assessment the City Tax would be $10.80 and the School District Tax would be $13.92.
12. WHEN ARE TAXES DUE?
    Real Estate Taxes are billed in January. The gross amount is due February 28th. A 2% discount can be taken if the taxes are paid in full by February 10th. Real Estate Taxes can also be paid in installments. The first installment is due by February 28th; the second is due by April 30th, and the third is due by July 31st. A 2% discount can be taken on the 1st installment if it is paid by February 10th. No discount is allowed on the 2nd or 3rd installments. Also, no discount is allowed on that part of a payment paid by February 10th that is more than the first installment but less than the full year's taxes.
13. IS PENALTY AND INTEREST CHARGED ON DELINQUENT TAXES?
    Interest is charged on the delinquent tax balance. There is no penalty charged.
14. WHEN IS INTEREST CHARGED?
    Interest is charged starting the first day of the month on any past due amount. The rate is 10% per year, simple interest, calculated monthly.
15. DOES THE CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFER PAYMENT PLANS FOR DELINQUENT TAXES?
    Yes, if you are having difficulty paying your taxes, the City of Pittsburgh does offer payment plans and hardship plans if you qualify. Please call the Real Estate Office at 412 255-2525 for information.
    
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16. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PAY MY REAL ESTATE TAXES?
    If you fail to pay your taxes, and you owe taxes for at least one prior year the City and School District of Pittsburgh will file a lien against your property.
    
    Your property can also be sold in a Treasurer’s Sale for the tax delinquency. We strongly urge you to contact the Real Estate Office to make payment arrangements to avoid this possibility.
17. HOW OFTEN ARE TREASURER’S SALES HELD?
    The Real Estate Department conducts Treasurer’s Sales throughout the year.
    
    Treasurer's Sale Information
18. ARE TAXES BILLED ON A CALENDAR OR FISCAL YEAR?
    Taxes are billed on a calendar year.
19. HOW DO I GET A RECEIPT FOR MY PAID TAXES?
    If your taxes are paid through your mortgage escrow account, your mortgage company will provide you with information on your Real Estate tax payments. If you pay your taxes in person with cash or a money order, the Cashiers Office will validate your receipt at the time of payment. For payments made by check a statement showing all payments made during the year will be mailed to you in June if you pay annually, or in September if you pay in installments. If you paid delinquent taxes a statement showing your payments will be mailed to you in January of the next year.
20. I'M SELLING MY HOME. HOW DO I PROVE MY TAXES WERE PAID?
    Most lenders and/or title companies require that the seller of real estate prove that their real estate taxes have been paid for the current and two prior years. The title company or attorney requests the proof, which is provided by the Real Estate Department via a Tax Certification. There is a $40.00 fee for this certification which covers the current and past three years of tax payments.
21. DOES ANYTHING ELSE NEED TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO GET THE TAX CERTIFICATION?
    Yes, in 2006 the City of Pittsburgh enacted Ordinance No. 3 which governs the requirements pertaining to the disconnection of illegal surface storm water connections. For more information on this Ordinance visit the PWSA website. Effective September 5, 2006 the Real Estate Department will not issue the Tax Certification unless the request is accompanied by a valid PWSA Compliance Certificate and/or a valid Temporary Evidence of Compliance certificate.
    
    For more information and/or an application form for a Tax Certification, visit the Real Estate Forms page.
22. I'M REFINANCING MY HOME. HOW DO I PROVE MY TAXES WERE PAID?
    When an owner borrows money against their property, the lender will usually require that the owner prove the Real Estate taxes have been paid for the current and two prior years. The lender requests the proof, which is provided by the Real Estate Department via a Tax Certification. There is a $40.00 fee for this certification which covers the current and past three years of tax payments.
    
    For more information and/or an application form for a Tax Certification, visit the Real Estate Forms page.
23. DO I NEED TO GET A PWSA COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE IF I AM ONLY REFINANCING?
    No, Ordinance No. 3 applies to property that is being sold, not refinanced. Visit the PWSA website for more information.
24. DOES THE CITY HAVE ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN I SELL OR REFINANCE?
    Yes, a zoning certificate is required whenever there is a real estate closing on a property or when the property is being refinanced. Land Use Control & Zoning Page
25. DOES THE CITY OR SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFER ANY TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS?
    Yes, there are two tax relief programs in the City of Pittsburgh. They are:
    • Homestead - (Act 50) Offered by the City of Pittsburgh since 2001, this program reduces the value of your home by $10,000. The 2011 City of Pittsburgh Real Estate Tax Savings is $108.00.
      
      (Act 1) Offered by the School District of Pittsburgh since 2009. The reduction amount can vary from year to year. The 2011 reduction in your home value is $19,430. The 2011 School District of Pittsburgh Real Estate Tax Savings is $270.47.
      
      To receive the Homestead Exemption the property must be owner occupied. Taxpayers who are enrolled in the City of Pittsburgh program will automatically receive the School District exemption; you do not have to submit a separate application.
    • Senior Tax Relief - Offered by the City of Pittsburgh to eligible owner occupants.
    For more information and/or application forms for these tax relief programs, visit the Real Estate Forms page.
    
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26. DOES THE CITY OR SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFER ANY ABATEMENT PROGRAMS?
    The City and School District offer several tax abatement programs for both residential (Act 42) and commercial improvements (LERTA). Allegheny County also participates in several of the programs. Details on these programs can be found in the Abatement Table.
27. HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE RESIDENTIAL ACT 42 ABATEMENT?
    There are different applications depending on the location of the property. Act 42 has two separate programs, the original Act 42 Program available City wide and an Enhanced Act 42 Program for 28 Defined Areas in the City. If your property is located in one of these 28 areas, apply with the Real Estate Department using this application and instructions. You can also pick up an application at the Bureau of Building Inspection when you get your building permit.
    
    Neighborhood Map Links
    
    If your property is not located in one of these areas, apply with Allegheny County using their application.
28. MY PROPERTY IS IN ONE OF THE 28 DEFINED AREAS BUT ONLY THE CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY COUNTY TAXES?
    You will receive the enhanced exemption on your City of Pittsburgh and School District of Pittsburgh taxes. For your County real estate taxes you will still be eligible for and receive the benefit of the Act 42 Residential abatement of $86,750 for three years.
29. I HAVE A COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE COMMERCIAL LERTA ABATEMENT?
    Within 180 days of receiving the building permit file the original LERTA Commercial Abatement Application and all plans, costs, permits, etc. with the Office of Property Assessments. File a copy of the application with a copy of the building permit only with the City of Pittsburgh Treasurer’s Office.
30. I HAVE A COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY THAT I AM CONVERTING TO RESIDENTIAL USE. HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE RESIDENTIAL LERTA ABATEMENT?
    Residential LERTA applications are processed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority for the City of Pittsburgh. Visit their website for information and applications.
    
    Residential L.E.R.T.A. - Contact Jessica Smith Perry at the URA by phone at 412-255-6575 or via the URA website for an application and guidelines.
    
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2012 CITY LIBRARY TAX FAQ

1. WHAT IS THE SPECIAL LIBRARY TAX? I NEVER HAD TO PAY IT BEFORE. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?
   On November 8, 2011 voters in the City of Pittsburgh overwhelmingly approved a 0.25 mill special tax (equivalent to $25 per year or $2.09 per month on $100,000 of assessed property) on all taxable real estate in the City of Pittsburgh to be allocated and used only for the operation and maintenance of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
2. WHY AM I RECEIVING TWO (2) PROPERTY TAX BILLS THIS YEAR? DO I HAVE TO PAY BOTH?
   We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Due to city internal processes it was necessary to send two bills this year. The second tax bill reflects the amount due in 2012 for the new Special Library Tax, approved by city voters on November 8, 2011. You are receiving two bills this year – one for your city and school property tax and one for your library property tax. All taxes are due as specified on the bill and subject to applicable collection laws and rules. A 2% discount is allowed if the bill is paid by March 30, 2012. Efforts are underway to incorporate these taxes onto a single bill for subsequent years.
3. I READ IN THE PAPER THAT WE ARE RECEIVING TWO PROPERTY BILLS THIS YEAR. I ONLY RECEIVED THE ONE FOR THE CITY, NOT FOR THE SPECIAL LIBRARY TAX. WHY?
   If your Special Library Tax obligation is under $2.00 you will NOT receive a bill or be required to pay the tax in 2012 only. Going forward all real estate taxes will be incorporated into one bill, with the Special Library Tax listed as a line item.
4. WHAT IS THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH AND CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH TO COLLECT THE SPECIAL LIBRARY TAX?
   For 2012, the Library will pay the one-time actual costs of distributing the separate Special Library Tax bill (printing and postage fees, for example) and will also pay the city a collection fee of 1% of the amount collected.
5. WHY HAS THE LIBRARY AGREED TO PAY THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH TO COLLECT THE SPECIAL LIBRARY TAX? SHOULDN'T THE CITY BE LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO COLLECT CITY-APPROVED TAXES?
   The City of Pittsburgh has presented to Library management the costs involved in adding this new tax. The Library believes that those costs are reasonable and understands that the City is not in a financial position to absorb these initial start-up costs. Together, the Library and City believe that this is the most reasonable solution.
6. WON'T THIS IMPACT THE LIBRARY'S BUDGET NEGATIVELY?
   No. The Library’s 2012 budget is balanced. We anticipated initial start-up costs relating to the collection of the Special Library Tax and were prudent in budgeting a conservative $3 million in revenue from the tax this year.
7. IS THE LIBRARY PREPARED TO PUT A LIEN ON PROPERTIES IF PROPERTY OWNERS DO NOT PAY THE TAX?
   The City of Pittsburgh is the taxing authority. If property owners fail to pay taxes for at least one prior year the City will file a lien against the property.
8. CAN I PAY MY BILL FOR THE LIBRARY TAX BY CREDIT CARD? CAN I PAY IN INSTALLMENTS?
   No. For 2012, these options are not available for the Special Library Tax.
9. HOW DO I MAKE MY CHECK PAYABLE FOR THE SPECIAL LIBRARY TAX?
   Make your check payable to “Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library” and mail it to: Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library, P.O. Box 644891, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-4891.
10. CAN I PAY MY BILL AT A CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH BRANCH?
    No. You must pay by mail or in person at the cashier’s window of the Real Estate office. The Real Estate counter is open 8:15 am through 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The cashier window is open 8:15 am through 4:00 pm.
11. ARE THE CITY'S TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS (HOMESTEAD - ACT 50 OR SENIOR RELIEF) APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIAL LIBRARY TAX?
    Yes. If you qualify for one or both of these programs, the adjustments will show up on your bill.
    
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