$1,000 Property Tax and Rent Rebate Expansion in Pennsylvania: Applications Open Soon

Pennsylvania residents can apply for expanded property tax and rent rebate programs starting this month. Eligible residents will receive up to $1,000 in expanded property tax and rent rebates from Pennsylvania. The expanded rebate program will not only provide more money to claimants, but will also benefit more Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate Expansion: What’s Changed?

In 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro promised to provide more relief to older residents by expanding Pennsylvania’s property tax and rent rebate programs. Act 7 of 2023, the new law signed by Governor Shapiro, provides the largest tax relief for seniors in nearly 20 years.

Pennsylvania’s expanded property tax and rent rebates will be available to eligible residents from $650 up to $1,000. Governor Shapiro also changed income limits for renters and homeowners. This means more Pennsylvanians will be eligible for the rebate.

Renters and homeowners making less than $45,000 per year are now eligible for the rebate. The original income limits were $35,000 or less for homeowners and $15,000 or less for renters.

So now the expanded program will provide property tax or rent rebates to 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians, with many of the original 430,000 recipients seeing increased rebate amounts.

Additionally, the new law links income limits to the cost of living. This means that beneficiaries will not be unfairly disqualified in the future.

What hasn’t changed?

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will begin accepting applications for expanded property tax and rent refunds from Pennsylvania in mid-January. The rebate applies to all property taxes and rent paid in 2023. Rebates are available only to Pennsylvania residents age 65 or older, widows or widowers age 50 or older, and disabled individuals age 18 or older.

The new law does not change the refund application form or timeline. This means applicants use a familiar process to apply for a rebate.

Additionally, key dates remain unchanged. Starting in January, the Department of Revenue will begin accepting applications on myPATH to allow eligible applicants to claim a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2023.

Additionally, in January, DOR will mail a program booklet to applicants who submitted a paper refund application in the previous application year. DOR also plans to upload forms and instructions to its website next month.

Starting in April, DOR will begin processing applications. Additionally, starting in April, applicants will receive an automated phone call notifying them that their application has been received. Rebates begin in July, and the rebate application deadline is December 31.

According to DOR, applicants are encouraged to apply using myPATH. Because it is “the fastest, easiest and most secure way for qualified applicants to submit their applications.”