HARRISBURG, December 14, 2011 – State Sen. Judy Schwank reminds eligible citizens that the application for the state property tax/rent rebate is due Dec. 31.
“Last year, more than 31,000 Berks County residents collected $14.7 million in rebates. That’s significant savings,” Schwank said. “In this economy, folks can benefit from this program more than ever, so I urge eligible individuals to apply now, and I encourage everyone to remind your friends and loved ones who would qualify for a rebate that the deadline is fast approaching.”
Applications and free filing assistance are available at the senator’s district office at the Rockland Professional Center, 1940 N. 13th St., Suite 232 in Reading.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are also available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling 1-888-222-9190 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can increase rebates to $975.
The state is providing $776.2 million in property tax relief this year, including expanded rebates from the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and general property tax relief for all homeowners distributed through school districts last summer. As a result, school property tax bills were completely eliminated for about 120,000 residents statewide this year.
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