Record number of PA seniors are applying for Shapiro’s property and rent tax credits program

Over 445,000 Pennsylvania seniors have signed up for their property tax and rent rebates so far this year. That’s 100,000 more applications thanks to Gov. Josh Shapiro expanding the Property Tax / Rent Rebate Program.

More Pennsylvania seniors are signing up for their property tax and rent rebates than in past years thanks to Gov. Josh Shapiro expanding the Property Tax / Rent Rebate Program for the first time in nearly 20 years in his inaugural budget.

The expansion increased rebates for eligible residents from $650 to $1,000 and increased the income limits to $45,000 for renters and homeowners. Eligible residents are encouraged to apply for their rebates through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s website, mypath.pa.gov.

So far this year, there have been over 445,000 rebate applications submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. That’s 100,000 more applications than this time last year, and it includes close to 80,000 seniors applying for their rebate.

“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. With higher income limits for renters and homeowners in place this year, we’re seeing thousands more Pennsylvanians access this critical program – and now, eligible Pennsylvanians have until the end of the year to apply and take advantage of the Property Tax/Rent rebate.”

Shapiro campaigned on expanding the senior tax credit when he was running for governor in 2022 and made it a priority during his first budget. It was the program’s first expansion since 2006.

Pennsylvania residents include those who are 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

“Gov. Shapiro campaigned on improving and expanding the property tax rent rebate program, and he’s following through on his promise for seniors here in Pennsylvania,” Gaylene Macuska, a Scranton resident, said during a bill signing ceremony last August.

“Under the bill that he signed… our maximum standard rebate will increase from $650 to $1,000. That might not seem like a whole lot of money to you, but for thousands of older Pennsylvanians, it’s a lifeline that helps pay the bills, and I know that to be true.”