HARRISBURG – As a result of House Bill 1067, which Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law on Oct. 22, income eligibility guidelines for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program have changed so that income increases due solely to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will no longer disqualify claimants from receiving rebates.
Any homeowner who receives Social Security, was paid a property tax rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual income up to $35,298 last year is encouraged to apply for a rebate for claim year 2013. Also, renters who receive Social Security, were paid a rent rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual incomes last year up to$15,128 are also encouraged to apply.
The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2013 is Dec. 31.
The Property Tax/Rent 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 – and now Social Security COLAs – are excluded.
The department is automatically reviewing previously denied claim year 2013 applications where the rebate was denied for income in excess of $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters. In cases where the overage is due solely to Social Security COLAs, the department will reopen, process and pay these claims.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and related information are available online at www.revenue.state.pa.us or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-222-9190.
About the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program:
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Revenue Department automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program’s 1971 inception, older and disabled adults have received more than $5.6 billion in property tax and rent relief. The expanded portion of the rebate program is paid for with revenue from slots gaming.
