Families, Friends Urged to Discuss Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program as Deadline Approaches

Free Filing Assistance Available at Numerous Locations Statewide

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Holiday gatherings are a great opportunity to remind older friends and relatives about Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue said today.

Eligible older adults and residents with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for rebates of up to $975 from the program.

"When families and friends gather during the holiday season, we hope they'll use it as an opportunity to explore eligibility for property tax or rent rebates," said Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser. "The deadline to apply is approaching, but older residents and those with disabilities still have more than a month to submit claims for rebates."

It costs nothing to apply for a rebate. In response to continued inquiries and complaints regarding fee-based application filing services offered privately, the department reminds residents that free filing help is available at hundreds of locations across the state. Application forms and assistance are available at no cost from Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are also available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com and by calling 1-888-222-9190, between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To speed processing, claimants are reminded to provide all required income, property tax or rent information. Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, Dec. 31.

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. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

Pennsylvania is providing $776.2 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, school property tax bills were completely eliminated for about 120,000 residents this year.

Last year, more than 605,000 seniors received $282.3 million in rebates. So far this year, more than 621,000 households have applied for rebates. As of mid-November, rebates totaling $274.5 million have been sent to more than 584,000 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 adults with disabilities have received $4.8 billion in of property tax and rent rebates. The expanded portion of the rebate program is being paid for with revenue from slots gaming.

Media contact:  Elizabeth Brassell, 717-787-6960

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Revenue