Redevelopment Tax Abatement (RTA)

The purpose of the Redevelopment Tax Abatement (RTA) program is to attract private investment and revitalize divested areas within Albuquerque. The City seeks to stimulate high quality, sustainable development projects that provide tangible community benefits. Projects must meet the goals of the applicable Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan and result in the elimination or prevention of slum and blight, in accordance with NM Statute, Section 3 Article 60A.

Up to 14-Year Pause on Property Tax Increases 

Recent legislation (Senate Bill 58) extends the maximum property tax freeze for eligible redevelopment projects from 7 years to up to 14 years.

The RTA program freezes property taxes at pre‑development values during construction and early operations, reducing upfront costs and helping projects stabilize. RTA projects may include new construction, expansions, or renovations of existing structures.

Under the updated law, the City may maintain the pre‑development tax level for up to 14 years after acquisition, depending on project size and need. After the abatement period ends, the property is reassessed and taxed at its full taxable value.

How it works

The RTA program benefits the City, County, and developers. The program has no operational costs and generates a net positive impact on tax revenues in the long-run. Most RTA projects involve long-vacant lots and buildings that generate little revenue in taxes. By incentivizing development, MRA supports infill development and bolsters the tax base. Once submitted, applications take an average of 3-4 months to receive full approval by the Albuquerque Development Commission (ADC) and City Council.

• Redevelopment Tax Abatement Instructions
• Appendix A. Application Form
• Appendix B. Community Benefits Matrix
• Appendix C. Applicant Certification (optional)
• Appendix D. Boilerplate Lease Agreement
• Appendix E. Building Valuation Data
• Appendix F. Applicant Experience Matrix
• Appendix G. Modified W-9 (Local Certification)
• Appendix H. Certification + Acknowledgement of Redevelopment Tax Abatement Program Risks
• Appendix I. City Color Palettes
• Prevailing Wage Policy
• Redevelopment Tax Abatement 1-Page Summary

Applications can be emailed to the City at [email protected] and must be submitted as a single PDF. Please also copy Jenny Jackson, MRA Manager, on your submission at [email protected]. If your application is too large to email, please call 505-263-5376 for further instructions. 

The instructions and appendices have been updated as of November 2024.