FREE PROPERTY TAX/RENT REBATE APPLICATION FILING HELP AVAILABLE IN SCRANTON ON NOV. 10

HARRISBURG, PA – November 6, 2008  – (RealEstateRama) – Secretary of Revenue Tom Wolf today announced that Department of Revenue representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10 at the South Side Senior Center, located at 425 Alder St. in Scranton, Lackawanna County, to help seniors file applications for property tax and rent rebates.

“More than half a million seniors already received rebates this year, but we know there are about 140,000 more people who qualify but haven’t applied yet, including 11,400 seniors in Lackawanna County,” Wolf said.  “Revenue employees will be available next Monday to help seniors fill out and submit applications before the program’s Dec. 31 deadline.”

The rebate program benefits income-eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years old and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.  A 2006 program expansion increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners, and raised the maximum rebate from $500 to $650 for both homeowners and renters.

The expanded household income limits and base 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 up to $8,000 receive a $650 rebate and those with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 receive a $500 rebate.

Seniors seeking free help with filing applications should bring with them the following documentation:

• Proof of age and proof of spouse’s age, if applicable
• For widow/widower age 50 to 64, spouse’s death certificate, if applicable
• Proof of disability, if applicable
• Proof of annual income, such as federal or state income tax returns, W-2s, 1099s and/or Department of Public Welfare cash assistance statements
• Property tax bill(s) marked “paid” or rent certificate verifying amount and payment of property taxes or rent

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) are available online at www.papropertytaxrelief.com or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-222-9190.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, created in 1971, is one of five programs supported by proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery. The expanded portion of the rebate program is paid for with revenue from slots gaming.

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