Governor Shapiro delivers on the commitment he made during his campaign and inaugural budget address to support Pennsylvania seniors
Harrisburg, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro recently delivered on a promise he made to Pennsylvanians when he signed a major expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program into law. This historic achievement, which will deliver the largest targeted tax cut for Pennsylvania's seniors in nearly two decades, is being celebrated by many people who recognize the impact this will make for people in communities across the Commonwealth.
"As the government agency that has administered the PTRR program for more than 50 years, we know firsthand how meaningful this expansion will be for older Pennsylvanians and those with disabilities," said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. "This program is a lifeline every year for hundreds of thousands of people and helps many of them to stay in the comfort of their homes. We are ready to do our part to help those who are eligible for PTRR file their applications. That includes nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians who will be eligible for the program when the next claim season opens in January 2024 thanks to Governor Shapiro making this expansion a priority."
"The Department of Aging has heard from many older adults and our aging network partners across the Commonwealth that affordable housing is a big concern. We want to see older adults remain in their homes and communities for as long as they are able. Programs like the popular Property Tax/Rent Rebate can help ease the burden of paying mortgage or rent along with the high costs of just about everything while putting money back into older adults' pockets," said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. "Thanks to Governor Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the program's expansion will not only provide more older adults the opportunity to receive a rebate, but many will see a payout increase."
Explaining the PTRR Expansion
The PTRR expansion passed the House and Senate with near-unanimous bipartisan support. That led to Governor Shapiro signing the legislation into law at United Neighborhood Center in Scranton, where he was joined by many legislators, stakeholders, and community members to celebrate this significant accomplishment.
Under the expansion, crucial updates will be in place when the Department of Revenue in January 2024 opens the filing period to submit applications for property taxes and rent paid in 2023. First, the maximum standard rebate will increase from $650 to $1,000. Meanwhile, the income limits for renters and homeowners will be made equal and both increase to $45,000 — the first time since 2006 that the income limits have been increased.
Those income limits will also be tied to the cost of living moving forward, which means the people who receive a rebate won't have to worry about losing their eligibility through no fault of their own in the years to come.
Ultimately, the Governor's plan results in nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians qualifying for a property tax or rent rebate. At the same time, roughly 86% of the 430,000 claimants who already qualify will see their rebates increase.
"AARP's mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age, and an important part of choosing how we live is being able to choose where we live," said AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh. "The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. With this expansion, hundreds of thousands more older Pennsylvanians will be able to remain in their homes and communities. We applaud this important expansion and look forward to continued work with the Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly to ensure a better Pennsylvania for everyone."
"Senior centers across the Commonwealth have been helping older Pennsylvanians apply for the PTRR program for decades. We see firsthand how disheartening it is when an older adult is outside the eligibility criteria and share in the frustration when people get the rebate one year but are not eligible the next because of a small increase in social security," said Renee Cunningham, vice president, Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers. "The expansion of this program will greatly increase the number of older Pennsylvanians who are able to access this needed benefit. The increase from $650 to $1,000 will help older adults in a very practical way, as the cost of living continues to rise. We applaud Governor Shapiro and our legislators for passing this important expansion for a program that truly benefits older Pennsylvanians."
About the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program
Since its inception in 1971, the PTRR program has delivered more than $8 billion in property tax and rent relief to some of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable residents. The PTRR program is supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and receives funding from slots gaming.
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. Be sure to check out the PTRR page (www.revenue.pa.gov/ptrr) on the Department of Revenue's website. Information for applicants, including detailed instructions, will be updated prior to the next claim season opening in January 2024.
As a reminder, applicants must reapply for rebates every year because rebates are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid in each year.
Media Contact:
Karen Gray, Aging, agingcomms@pa.gov
Jeffrey Johnson, Revenue, ra-press@pa.gov