PROPERTY TAX/RENT REBATE PROGRAM DEADLINE EXTENDED

            HARRISBURG, June 5 – The deadline to apply for Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and disabled residents has been extended to end of the year, rather than the initial deadline of June 30, said State Sen. Leanna Washington (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia Counties).

“It pleases me to know that the state wants to be sure that those who are eligible for the program have ample time to apply for the property tax and rent rebates,” said Washington.

The rebate program, which has helped seniors and disabled adults to receive $4 billion worth of property tax and rent rebates since its inception in 1971, benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. 

The program will help about 600,000 seniors this year, up from the 310,000 who benefited from it before its 2006 expansion, which increased the income limit for homeowners from $15,000 to $35,000 and raised the maximum rebate for homeowners and renters from $500 to $650.

In addition to a rebate, approximately 68,000 senior homeowners will have school property taxes eliminated because they will receive the general property tax reduction that all homeowners will see itemized on school district property tax bills this summer.

The Department of Revenue had received over 515,000 Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications as of May 30. Rebates will begin to be distributed on July 1.