Rebates coming soon for seniors

July 03--The state Department of Revenue has announced that approximately 425,000 older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities will be issued rebates totaling $201 million starting this week through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

After the initial distribution of rebates in early July, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed.

It costs nothing to apply for a rebate, and the department reminds applicants 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 obtain property tax/rent rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and related information on the Department of Revenue's website or by calling 888-222-9190.

Claimants who already applied for rebates may check the status of claims online at www.revenue.pa.gov by clicking on the "Where's My Property Tax/Rent Rebate?" link. Claimants may also call, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES to check the status of their rebates.

"Last year this program helped more than half-a-million older adults and other eligible Pennsylvanians obtain rebates for property taxes and rent paid in 2016," Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said in a press release. "The department recently extended this year's application deadline to Dec. 31 so that applicants have more time to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2017. We encourage everyone who is eligible to take advantage of the program."

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 certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.

Since the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program's 1971 inception, older and disabled adults have received more than $6.7 billion in property tax and rent relief. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.

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