Property tax/rent rebate deadline is Dec. 31

The Pennsylvania departments of Revenue and Aging issued a reminder on Monday older people and people with disabilities have until the end of this month to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2019.

The rebates are made available through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which has given back nearly $7 billion to eligible people since 1971, according to department officials. Pennsylvanians who are 65 years old or older, widows and widowers age 50 or older and people with disabilities age 18 or older have until Dec. 31 to apply.

The income limit for the program is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 a year for renters, with half of Social Security income excluded, officials said. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for some qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

“Most older Pennsylvanians want to age in place by staying in their homes for as long as they are able. Many of them live on fixed incomes, so they may benefit from the financial assistance provided by this program. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is a great opportunity for seniors to get some money back on what they have paid out. I urge all older adults to take advantage of this program before the December 31 deadline,” Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said in a statement.

Applicants can apply for the rebate for free via myPATH, the Department of Revenue’s online filing system. Those wishing to file a physical application can do so by downloading and printing an application from the department’s website.