tr?id=&ev=PageView&noscript=

Josh Shapiro extends deadline for tax rebate program that helps PA seniors

By Sean Kitchen

May 31, 2024
pennsylvania Voting Guide

Pennsylvania seniors and disabled residents will have until Dec. 31 to apply for their property tax and rent rebate from the Department of Revenue. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced on Thursday that his administration is extending the deadline from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2024 for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program.

Pennsylvania seniors and disabled residents are encouraged to go to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s website, mypath.pa.gov, to apply for their rebates.  

Shapiro expanded the rebate program for the first time since 2006 with bipartisan support. The expansion increased rebates for eligible residents from $650 to $1,000 and increased the income limits for homeowners and renters to $45,000. 

“So far this year, our agency has already received approximately 445,000 rebate applications,” Secretary of Revenue Pat Brown said in a statement. 

“That’s roughly 100,000 more applications than we had received at this time last year — and the applicant pool thus far includes nearly 80,000 first-time filers who will be benefiting from the rebate program for the very first time.” 

Lawmakers also included a cost of living adjustment in the program’s expansion, which will help keep eligible residents in the program after their pension or social security income are adjusted for changes in inflation. Previously, seniors or disabled residents would get pushed into a different income bracket or lose their eligibility altogether. 

Those eligible for the rebate program include seniors over the age of 65, widows or widowers over the age of 50 and disabled residents over the age of 18. 

Homeowners and renters who are eligible for the program can receive the following rebates based on their income:

  • Residents making $0 to $8,000 are eligible for a rebate up to $1,000
  • Residents making $8,001 to $15,000 are eligible for a rebate up to $770
  • Residents making $15,001 to $18,000 are eligible for a rebate up to $460
  • Residents making $18,001 to $45,000 are eligible for a rebate up to $380

“The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has long been a lifeline for our seniors and people with disabilities, especially those on a fixed income,” Shapiro said in a statement. “This is what it looks like when we work together, put partisanship aside, and get stuff done for Pennsylvania.”

Author

  • Sean Kitchen

    Sean Kitchen is the Keystone’s political correspondent, based in Harrisburg. Sean is originally from Philadelphia and spent five years working as a writer and researcher for Pennsylvania Spotlight.

CATEGORIES: STATE LEGISLATURE
Related Stories
Opinion: Families of disabled anxious as budget discussions begin

Opinion: Families of disabled anxious as budget discussions begin

As Pennsylvania budget discussion begins, families of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities/Autism (ID/A) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in Pennsylvania are anxiously awaiting the General Assembly’s decision on Governor Josh Shapiro’s FY 24/25 budget which aims to address critical underfunding and improve support services.

Share This