Berks Seniors Reap $8.7 Million in Property Tax & Rent Rebates

Harrisburg, September 29, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — With three months remaining before the December 31, 2008, deadline to apply for “2007 tax year” rebates, more than 17,270 Berks County seniors have received a total of $8.7 million in Property Tax and Rent Rebates so far this year, according to Senator Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks).

“The new data shows that Berks County’s senior citizens are leading the way in taking full advantage of our state’s dramatically expanded Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program,” said O’Pake, who continues to champion legislation (SBs 1163; 1164; 1165) that would totally eliminate the homeowner property tax as a method of school finance in Pennsylvania.

Under the PTTR program, senior citizens 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older and disabled adults qualify for rebates against property taxes or rent paid if they meet income eligibility guidelines. For qualifying homeowners, the income eligibility limit has been boosted from $15,000 to $35,000 (with one half of Social Security not counted in the income calculation).  While the income limit for those who rent remains at $15,000 (with one half of Social Security not counted), the maximum regular rebate for both homeowners and renters has been boosted from $500 to $650.

New this year, O’Pake said, is an additional “rebate supplement” of up to $325 that is available to qualifying homeowners who pay a disproportionate share of their income for property taxes.

“And, so far this year, over 4,500 Berks County senior citizens have received rebate supplements totaling more than $1 million with some receiving total rebates of as much as $975,” O’Pake said.

Combined with the $19.7 million that was distributed from gaming for school property tax relief for all Berks County homeowners this year, “some Berks County seniors have actually been relieved of their property tax burden in its entirety,” O’Pake added.      

For more information on the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, or to obtain an application packet, contact Senator O’Pake’s district office at 610-929-2151 or look for the Property Tax & Rent Rebate link on the Senator’s website at www.senator-opake.com.