Property tax, rent rebates to be bigger
Older Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities who qualify for a rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2021 will be receiving more money this year, the Wolf administration announced Tuesday.
A proposal to give onetime bonus rebates to claimants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program recently became effective when Gov. Tom Wolf signed the 2022-23 budget into law.
A one-time total of $140 million in federal relief money was added to the program.
Under the new law, Pennsylvanians who are approved for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive an additional one-time bonus rebate equal to 70% of their original rebate amount.
This means the total amount a claimant will receive could be as much as $1,657.50, up from a previous maximum of $975.
“We want claimants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to know that they do not need to take any additional action to receive their one-time bonus rebates,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “If you are a claimant who has already filed your application form for the 2021 claim year, the Department of Revenue will take care of everything on the back end to ensure you get the extra money you are entitled to. If you are an eligible Pennsylvanian who has not yet filed an application, there is still plenty of time to do so. The application deadline was recently extended to Dec. 31, 2022.”
The Department of Revenue anticipates that bonus rebates will start being mailed and sent via direct deposit in early September.
These are the key qualifications:
• Age 65 and older.
• Widows and widowers age 50 and older.
• Anyone with disabilities age 18 and older.
• The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners.
• The income limit is $15,000 annually for renters.
• Half of Social Security income is excluded.
Spouses, personal representatives or estates may also file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived at least one day in 2021 and meet all other eligibility criteria.
The department had these instructions:
As of mid-August, if you are a claimant who has already received your original rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021, you will receive your additional bonus rebate in a one-time payment. The rebate will be delivered through the same method (check or direct deposit) that you elected on your original application form.
As of mid-August, if you are an eligible claimant whose 2021 rebate application is still being processed or an eligible claimant who has not yet submitted your 2021 rebate application form, you will receive a combined rebate (original plus bonus) in a onetime payment. You will receive your combined rebate through the same method you elected on your original application form (check or direct deposit).
The processing of rebates — and bonus rebates — will continue through the end of the year, as additional applications are received. The department will work as quickly as possible to ensure that applications are processed for payment in a timely manner.
If you are an eligible claimant who has already filed an application (PA1000) for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021, you do not need to take any further action. The Department of Revenue will take care of everything.
For eligible claimants who have not yet filed an application, you are encouraged to do so.
Eligible Pennsylvanians can do this online by visiting myPATH.pa.gov, the Department of Revenue’s online filing system. Submitting your application through myPATH is easy and does not require an account to be created.
Claimants may also find a paper application and instructions on the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program by visiting www.revenue. pa.gov/ptrr.
Answers to other frequently asked questions about the one-time bonus rebates are available by visiting One-Time Bonus Rebates on the Department of Revenue’s website.
It’s free to apply for a rebate, and applicants are reminded that free assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state, including Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.
Applicants may also visit the department’s Online Customer Service Center to find helpful tips and answers to commonly asked questions about the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.