June 1, 2007
Contact:
 Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
Back

Senate Update
by
 Senator James J. Rhoades

In 2006, the General Assembly doubled the size and scope of a program that will provide $323 million in property tax relief to Pennsylvanians who are hit hardest by property taxes, senior citizens and disabled individuals on fixed incomes.

The state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program provides rebates on property taxes or rent for eligible Pennsylvanians 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older and those with disabilities 18 years or older. Last year, I supported passage of a new law that expands the program to include coverage for an additional 420,000 Pennsylvanians.

The expanded income limits mean that many homeowners who did not qualify for the program in the past are now eligible.

Under the expanded income limits, seniors can receive a rebate of up to $650 on property taxes if their household income does not exceed $35,000, excluding 50 percent of Social Security payments, Supplemental Security income and Railroad Retirement benefits. Renters can earn up to $15,000 and still be eligible for a rebate. The amount of the rebate is determined by household income, with lower-income households receiving the highest level of tax relief.

Applicants can sign up now to have a Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim form mailed to them. District residents can sign up by calling toll-free 1-888-222-9190 weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or by visiting www.revenue.state.pa.us. If you have already signed up for the program and would like to check on the receipt and status of your claim, you can call toll-free1-888-PATAXES on a touchtone phone or 1-888-222-9190 from a rotary phone.

The expansion of this program represents a dramatic step toward a broader solution to property tax relief. So, I would strongly encourage all eligible district residents to apply for these rebates. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Senator Rhoades represents the 29th Senatorial District, which includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.