Allegheny County Homeowners Facing Huge Tax Hike

PITTSBURGH, PA — Allegheny County homeowners would see their property taxes rise 46.5 percent under county Executive Sara Innamorato's proposed 2025 budget. Innamorato presented the $1.2 billion spending plan to county council on Tuesday.

The proposed 2.2-mill tax hike would mean the owner of a home assessed at the median county value of $110,000 would see their annual real estate levy rise from about $437 currently to about $619.

Innamorato also is proposing a $3,000 increase to the homestead exemption, meaning the first $21,000 of a home's assessed value would not be taxed. The exemption has not risen in more than a decade.

Innamorato said the county has been running a structural deficit for several years. In 2024, the county budgeted a deficit and is currently projecting to operate at a loss of approximately $81 million. The deficit will be offset by a combination of $48 million in American Rescue Plan dollars and $33 million in fund balance.

“The county is looking for efficiencies and ways to be smarter with our money,” Innamorato said.

“We’re cutting expensive external contracts where it makes sense, bringing services in-house, and making smart long-term planning decisions related to all services, personnel, and capital costs. But we also want to be smart about generating the revenues we need to keep services in place for the people of Allegheny County and making intelligent, strategic investments in projects that will result in economic growth.”

Council will now consider the proposed budget and host a series of budget committee meetings. Per the County Charter, council must vote on the budget upon the completion of their hearings but no later than 25 days before the year’s end.