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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2009

A Capitol Perspective
A column by State Senator Pat Browne
16th Senatorial District

Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program Helps Seniors

One of the most hotly discussed topics in Harrisburg each year is what to do about property taxes in Pennsylvania. There are varying opinions on what course of action to take. Many agree that there is a need to reduce the current burden placed on homeowners and renters. Those hardest hit by the increases in property taxes each year are our senior citizens, many whom are living on a low or fixed income.

Thankfully, this has not gone unnoticed by the Pennsylvania legislature. In 2006, the General Assembly approved a law that provided Pennsylvania's senior citizens with substantial relief from school property taxes and expanded the Property Tax Relief and Rent Rebate Act.

Eligible applicants are homeowners or renters who paid property taxes or rent last year, if they are ages 65 or older, are a widow or a widower ages 50 to 64 or are ages 18 or older with a permanent disability. The income limits to qualify for the program are $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters. This includes all income, but only half of Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits.

Applications are now available for property taxes or rent paid in 2008. Call or stop by any of my offices and my staff will be happy to assist with this program.

Also, representatives from my office will be visiting five community locations during the fourth week in March to help residents fill out the applications and answer questions (thanks to Rep. Gary Day’s office for assisting on March 23 and March 26). Property Tax and Rent Rebate booklets will be available at each of the outreach sites as well.

The outreach sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day at the following locations:

• Monday, March 23 in the North Whitehall Township Meeting Room, 3256 Levans Road, Coplay.
• Tuesday, March 24 in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Allentown Library, 1210 Hamilton Street, Allentown.
• Wednesday, March 25 at the Fearless Fire Hall, 1221 South Front Street, Allentown.
• Thursday, March 26 at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center, 3400 Brookside Road, Macungie.
• Friday, March 27 at the Bath American Legion, 278 Race Street, Bath.

Qualifying applicants will receive rebates in amounts based on the following charts:

When filling out a rebate application here is what you need to have (if applicable):

• Property owners need to bring all of their 2008 real estate tax receipts stamped paid
• Renters need to have the rent certificate in the Property Tax and Rent Rebate booklet filled out by their landlord
• Driver’s license or Pennsylvania photo identification card
• 1099 forms, 1099-R forms and W-2 forms (if applicable)
• Information on interest, dividends, Railroad Retirement benefits
• Information on gains or losses on the sale or exchange of property or stocks

I am pleased that the state of Pennsylvania has been able to expand this program over the years to help even more people. Property taxes and rent are among the biggest expenses for most families. This important program is one way that qualifying senior citizens can recoup some of their money. I encourage all eligible Lehigh Valley residents to apply. 

For more questions about the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, or any other state related issue, you may contact any of my offices: My Allentown Office at 801 Hamilton Street (610-821-8468 or toll-free at 800-280-7728); My East Allentown District Office in the Lehigh Valley Career Link Building, 1601 Union Boulevard (610-821-6813); My Western Lehigh County Office in the Upper Macungie Township Building, 8330 Schantz Road, Breinigsville (610-366-2327); My Northampton County Office in the East Allen Township Municipal Building, 5330 Nor-Bath Boulevard, Northampton (610-502-1567); or, My Monroe County at the intersection of Old Route 115 and Route 209, Saylorsburg (570-402-1499).

State Senator Pat Browne represents the 16th Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.