Real Estate Tax Abatement

Real Estate Tax Abatement

Real Estate Tax Abatement is a development tool designed to assist developers, businesses and individuals with renovation and new construction projects. Tax Abatement freezes the tax assessment in improvements to property at the pre-development level.

Learn About Tax Abatement

To learn more about tax abatement and how it is awarded in the City of St. Louis, please view the educational tools below.

To be eligible for tax abatement, a significant investment must be made in the property — generally either new construction on vacant land or major rehabilitation of an existing building.

  • Application must be made before construction begins.

  • The usual term for tax abatement is 5 to 10 years.

  • Applicants seeking tax abatement are required to obtain support from a member of the Board of Aldermen, as well as the appropriate neighborhood organization(s).

Recommended Abatement for Projects Under $1 Million

In 2018, a Recommended Abatement Map for Projects Under $1 Million was adopted by the Board of Aldermen through resolution 104.

Tax Abatement Application for Owner-Occupants in JeffVanderLou/St. Louis Place Redevelopment Area

In March 2024, the City of St. Louis adopted Ordinance 71795 (Board Bill 174) empowering the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) to allow existing residents in the JeffVanderLou and St. Louis Place redevelopment area to use tax abatement for property improvements.

Contact:

Zachary Wilson

VP Economic Development Incentives
wilsonz@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3773

Linda Criss

Administrative Assistant II
Economic Development Incentives 
crissl@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3771

Andrew Knop

Development Incentives Analyst
Community Benefit Analysis 
knopa@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3737

Jake Narup

Development Incentives Analyst
Fiscal Impact Analysis 
narupj@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3723

Madeleine Swanstrom

Incentive Compliance Manager 
swanstromm@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3824