Harrisburg, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro today encouraged eligible Pennsylvanians who have not yet applied for a rebate through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program to do so prior to the filing deadline on Tuesday, December 31.
Although the Department of Revenue has already processed nearly 520,000 rebates totaling more than $311 million during the current year, there are still thousands of older adults and people with disabilities who are eligible for a rebate but have not yet submitted an application. Eligible applicants can easily submit a rebate application online through myPATH.
“During my first year in office, we worked with legislators on both sides of the aisle to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program to ensure that it remains a lifeline for our older friends and neighbors across Pennsylvania. We raised the program’s income limits for the first time in nearly 20 years, and we also boosted the maximum standard rebate to $1,000 — up from $650,” said Governor Shapiro. “I’m proud to report that this bipartisan action has resulted in nearly 105,000 Pennsylvanians receiving a rebate this year for the very first time. We want to see that number grow in the coming weeks prior to the filing deadline, so please take advantage of all the resources that are available to complete your application.”
“Our employees have been working hard throughout the year to provide as much support as we can because we know how impactful this program is for the Pennsylvanians who benefit from it. If you think you might be eligible or know someone else who could qualify, come see us at one of our district offices or you can visit your state legislator's office for filing assistance," said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. “There is no wrong door to receive help. If you're eligible, take advantage of all the support that is available so that you don't miss out on a rebate that could make a real difference."
The Department of Revenue has received roughly 550,000 rebate applications so far this year, which is a 24 percent increase over the same time period last year. Additionally, 93 percent of the applications received have already been approved for payment. Of the remaining seven percent, the vast majority of these applications came from applicants who were either ineligible for a rebate or submitted a duplicate application.
Eligibility/How to File
The PTRR program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The table below shows how much homeowners and renters who fit this criteria are eligible for, depending on their income:
INCOME | MAX STANDARD REBATE |
$0 - $8000 | $1,000 |
$8,001 - $15,000 | $770 |
$15,001 - $18,000 | $460 |
$18,001 - $45,000 | $380 |
Submitting your application online through myPATH — in English or Spanish — is easy and does not require you to sign up for an account. Filing online gives you instant confirmation that your claim has been successfully filed. Applicants also will have access to automatic calculators and other helpful features that are not available through the paper application.
It's free to apply for a rebate and assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state: Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, and state legislators' offices. You must reapply for a rebate every year as they are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid during the prior year.
The easiest way to check the status of your rebate is to use the Where's My Rebate? tool on myPATH. To check on the status of your claim, you will need your Social Security number, claim year, and date of birth.
About the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program
Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a historic expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program, which means more Pennsylvanians now qualify — and at the same time — the vast majority who qualified in prior years will see their rebates increase. This was the first time the program has been expanded since 2006. The expansion:
- Increases the maximum standard rebate to $1,000.
- Increases the income cap for both homeowners and renters to $45,000.
- Increases the income cap to grow with inflation each year moving forward.
To raise awareness of the expanded program and help eligible Pennsylvanians complete their rebate applications, the Department of Revenue held nearly 300 events at senior/community centers to provide in-person filing assistance. This is in addition to the support that is available at Revenue district offices and other locations.
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 gaming.