Graphic: The deadline for applying for this year’s property tax rebates is Dec. 31. Easy-to-follow procedure is available online.
Qualified Philadelphians: Apply for rebates up to $975.00
By Ted Behr
Seniors and residents with disabilities can apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebates until December 31. The income limits for homeowners are $35,000 per year and $15,000 per year for renters.
Only one-half for income Social Security payments is counted toward these income totals.
Eligible persons can make a fast application online with easy direct deposition opportunities and automatic calculators. Simply go to the PA Revenue Department website and access:
www.mypath.pa.gov
Once on the website, applicants can scroll down to “Rebates” and follow the simple directions. If applicable, It will be necessary to have the following documents available for electronic uploading and attachment to the application: Proof of age; proof of disability; proof of death; proof of income; proof of taxes paid; and/or proof of rent paid
Spouses, personal representatives, and estate managers can file pm on behalf of others – who have lived at least one day in the state in the tax year. The standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners in Philadelphia can boost rebates by 50 percent up to a maximum of $975.
Low-income Pennsylvanians pay the 4th highest combined state and local taxes rates in the nation at 13.8 percent of income. Since PA has a fixed tax rate for all taxpayers, residents in the highest income category pay only 6.0 percent of their income (according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy in Washington DC.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate application assistance is available at no cost from Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.
