LERTA Tax Exemption

Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) authorizes local taxing authorities to provide tax exemption that incentivizes redevelopment of aging or deteriorated properties, and new construction in deteriorated areas of economically depressed communities.

LERTA requires that property owners pay full land taxes, while taxes on improvements to the land grow incrementally over 10 years. The LERTA abatement applies to the tax increment from any substantial renovation or new construction, but does not make a property tax-free.

In the Lehigh Valley, LERTA zones exist in the City of Bethlehem and Upper Mount Bethel Township.