HARRISBURG – December 21, 2007 – Governor Edward G. Rendell today reminded residents that only 12 days remain to apply for rebates of up to $650 from the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, Dec. 31.
“There are still tens of thousands of qualifying seniors who have not yet applied for the rebates due them,” Governor Rendell said. “I encourage all Pennsylvanians – especially those in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the northeast, where we know a large proportion of those qualifying residents live – to consider who they know who might qualify for a rebate.”
While Dec. 21 is the last day seniors can request to have an application mailed to them, Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are available for download online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com and in hard copy at Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of local telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices through the end of December.“As the clock winds down on the application period, there are people and offices all over the state ready and willing to help seniors apply for property tax and rent rebates,” said Governor Rendell. “So far, the average rebate has been about $435 per household, and I know there are thousands of additional seniors who could use that money this winter.”The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The program expansion increases the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650.“Even seniors who make more than $35,000 a year can qualify for rebates, since only half of Social Security is counted as income,” the Governor said. “Maybe you’re not sure if you qualify – or maybe you’re not sure if your parents or grandparents qualify – just call the toll-free hotline, and we’ll help you figure it out.”To serve seniors who need help applying for the rebate program, the Department of Revenue’s customer service center (1-888-222-9190) is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The call center will be closed Dec. 25 for Christmas.
Claimants are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly. They can check on the status of their rebate applications by calling the department’s automated FACT and Information Line at 1-888-PATAXES (728-2937).
Act 1 of Special Session 2006, signed by Governor Rendell on June 27, 2006, delivered the largest property tax cut in Pennsylvania history. Seniors get the most significant property tax relief through an expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program beginning this year. Property tax relief for all homeowners is expected next year.
So far this year, $227.8 million in rebates have been sent to more than 524,000 homeowners and renters through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. That is 250,000 more households and $106 million more than last year.
The expanded household income limits and maximum rebate amounts are:
· $0 and $8,000 $650 rebate
· $8,001 to $15,000 $500 rebate
· $15,001 to $18,000 $300 rebate
· $18,001 to $35,000 $250 rebate
Renters with incomes between $0 and $8,000 now receive a $650 rebate and those with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 receive a $500 rebate.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program’s 1971 inception, more than $3.8 billion has been paid to qualified applicants. The expanded portion of the rebate program is being paid for with revenue from slots gaming.
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The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell’s initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
