Use Holiday Visits to Discuss Program With Older Friends, Loved Ones

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eligible older adults and residents with disabilities have nine days to submit Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications before the Dec. 31 deadline.

"About 100,000 Pennsylvanians who qualify for Property Tax/Rent Rebates have not yet applied," said Acting Secretary of Revenue C. Daniel Hassell. "Time remains for residents to look over the program's requirements to see if they could benefit like more than 578,000 people who already received rebates this year."

Applications are available for download at www.papropertytaxrelief.com, and forms and assistance are available at Revenue district offices, legislators' offices, area agencies on aging, and senior centers. Assistance is also available by calling, toll-free, 1-888-222-9190 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. State offices will be closed Dec. 25.

Claimants are reminded to provide all necessary income, property tax or rent information in order for claims to be processed accurately and quickly. Applications must be postmarked by Thursday, Dec. 31, to be considered.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 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 for homeowners from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) and raised the maximum standard rebate for homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The income limit for renters is $15,000.

Pennsylvania is providing $770 million in property tax relief this year, including expanded rebates from the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and general property tax relief for all homeowners distributed through school districts last summer. As a result, about 123,500 seniors enjoyed a complete elimination of their school property tax bills.

An estimated 716,000 seniors and residents with disabilities could benefit from rebates this year, compared to 314,000 before the program's 2006 expansion. Last year, 580,517 seniors received more than $276.1 million in rebates. So far this year, more than 617,000 people have applied for rebates, and as of Dec. 21 rebates totaling $270.5 million have been sent to more than 578,000 homeowners and renters.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program's 1971 inception, older adults and disabled adults have received $4.2 billion worth of property tax and rent rebates. The expanded portion of the rebate program is being paid for with revenue from slots gaming.

Media contact:

Stephanie Weyant, Revenue; 717-787-6960

Editor's Note:

A by-county list of the estimated number of people who have had school property taxes eliminated and the number of people who are eligible for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, but have not yet applied is available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.state.pa.us
http://www.papropertytaxrelief.com