Dec. 31 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Approaching, All Eligible Pennsylvanians Encouraged To Apply

Applications Available Online, at Office Locations

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dec. 31 is the deadline for older adults and people with disabilities to apply for rebates of up to $975 from Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, the Department of Revenue said today, noting free application assistance is available.

"I encourage all who qualify to take advantage of this tax relief and apply before the Dec. 31 deadline," said Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser. "Time remains for residents to review the program's criteria to determine if they can benefit from these rebates."

It costs nothing to apply for a rebate. In response to continued inquiries and complaints regarding fee-based application filing services offered privately, the department reminds residents that free filing help is available at hundreds of locations across the state. Application forms and assistance are available at no cost from Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices.

"There are plenty of free resources available to assist residents in the application process," said Meuser. "Forms are still available at Revenue district offices and legislators' offices statewide."  

Assistance is also available by calling 1-888-222-9190, between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Requests for applications by telephone or mail can no longer be considered due to the approaching deadline, but Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are also available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com.  

To speed processing, claimants are reminded to provide all required income, property tax or rent information. Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, Dec. 31.

The 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 is excluded.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

Pennsylvania is providing $776.2 million in property tax relief this year, including expanded rebates from the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and general property tax relief for all homeowners distributed through school districts last summer.

Last year, more than 605,000 seniors received $282.3 million in rebates. So far this year, more than 626,000 rebate applications have been received, and as of Dec. 9, rebates totaling $277.5 million have been sent to more than 590,000 homeowners and renters.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program's 1971 inception, older adults and adults with disabilities have received $4.8 billion in of property tax and rent rebates. The expanded portion of the rebate program is being paid for with revenue from slots gaming.

Media contact:  Elizabeth Brassell, 717-787-6960

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

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