Harrisburg, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro today announced that his Administration has processed more than 500,000 tax rebates totaling over $304 million for older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities who benefit from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program. This is nearly double the amount of relief that had been distributed through the PTRR program at the same point last year.
“I made a promise to deliver relief for seniors and people with disabilities across the Commonwealth who told me that they needed just a little more help to stay in their homes – and I’m proud that we’ve kept that promise . In my first year, we brought Democrats and Republicans together to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program — to ensure that it remains a lifeline that helps our older friends and neighbors stay in their homes,” said Governor Shapiro. “Thanks to our bipartisan efforts, more than half a million Pennsylvanians are getting a tax cut this year – and we’re showing once again that we can get stuff done when we work together.”
Employees at the Department of Revenue have been working hard throughout the year to process PTRR applications as quickly as possible. In fact, 95 percent of the applications that have been received so far this year have already been approved for payment — and that includes applications from roughly 107,000 first-timer filers who are benefitting from the program for the very first time.
This successful work follows Governor Shapiro’s push to expand the PTRR program for the first time in nearly 20 years. By working to secure a bipartisan compromise with members of the General Assembly, the Governor increased the program’s income limits (to $45,000 for homeowners and renters) and tying those income limits to the cost of living, while also raising the maximum standard rebate (up to $1,000 from the prior $650 max).
The Governor is also reminding the public that there are thousands of Pennsylvanians who qualify for a rebate but have not submitted an application to take advantage of this program. This includes many people who were previously approved for a rebate, but have not taken action this year to reapply by submitting a new application.
The Department of Revenue has been mailing letters to these prior applicants encouraging them to check their eligibility and submit a new application if they meet the program guidelines. The deadline to submit applications for rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2023 has been extended to December 31, 2024.
“Our employees have been working hard throughout the year to provide as much support as we can to the people who benefit from this program. 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.”
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.
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