Pennsylvanians Hurry to Receive Housing Tax Rebate

In Pennsylvania, more than 100,000 more applicants have filed applications for rebates since Governor Josh Shapiro last year expanded the long-running program.

Shapiro said last month that more people with disabilities and elders in Pennsylvania are probably going to receive the $1,000 stipend. In order to allow individuals who did not meet the previous income restrictions to still receive the money, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate was increased.

“Getting people who qualify to apply has been one of the biggest pitfalls in prior years,” said University of Tennessee at Martin financial literacy lecturer Alex Beene to Newsweek.

“Although the rebate’s eligibility has been expanded, this increase means very little if customers don’t submit an application. This time around, we’ve seen the state put a lot of effort into encouraging individuals who qualify to apply, and a lot of locals who are having trouble keeping up with expenses are accepting the offer.”

According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Revenue, over 515,000 rebate applications have been submitted so far. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a 22% increase in applications; 94% of them have already been approved.

“After hearing from seniors across the Commonwealth that they were struggling with rising costs, we took action in my first year in office to expand the Property Tax Rent Rebate program to ensure that it continues to serve as a lifeline for older Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said in a press release.

“The results of that crucial work are beginning to show; this year, over 100,000 Pennsylvanians who previously were not eligible for this benefit have filed their refund applications. Simultaneously, a large number of Pennsylvanians who qualify for a rebate have not yet filed an application. I would like everyone to be aware that they can determine their eligibility and find out how to apply for a rebate by visiting—pa.gov/PTRR.”

The application deadline for the rebate, which is December 31st, is still many months away.

For many years, the state has assisted some of its most needy citizens in navigating property taxes and rent costs through the Property Tax Rent Rebate program.

Who is Eligible for the Rebate for Rent or Homeowners?

You must be 65 years of age or older to qualify, or 50 years of age if you are a widow. If you are at least eighteen years old and have a disability, you may potentially qualify.

You must submit a free rebate application each year, taking into account your income, property taxes, and rent from the previous year.

The maximum rebate for this year’s rebate increased from $650 to $1,000, and both homeowners’ and renters’ income caps were adjusted.

Originally, the rebate program was limited to homeowners making $35,000 or less and renters making $15,000 or less annually. However, as of right now, anyone making $45,000 or less per year is eligible.

Kevin Thompson, a financial expert and the CEO and founder of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek that “this will be a positive for the Commonwealth in the sense that it may provide some much-needed relief with regard to some of the inflationary pressures they are currently feeling.” “It is definitely better than the alternative which is no rebate whatsoever.”

Since the beginning of the rebate program in 1971, more than $8 billion has been returned to the local population.

This year’s greater applicant count is a “sign of the times,” according to Beene, but it also reflects the broader eligibility conditions.

“Whereas the amount rebated may not have moved the financial needle much for older residents and those with disabilities in the past, now even a few hundred dollars can go a long way with the current cost of living,” Beene stated.