State Tax Problems

Pennsylvania Expands Property Tax Rebate Program For the First Time In 17 Years

Pennsylvania Expands Property Tax Rebate Program For the First Time In 17 Years

Pennsylvania has expanded its property tax and rent rebate program for the first time in 17 years. The last time the program was altered was 2006, so this is a welcome change for Pennsylvanians who have been feeling the impact of rising prices and inflation over the last couple of years. 

Governor Josh Shapiro signed the updated bill into law on Friday, August 4. The maximum rebate for eligible taxpayers will increase from $650 to $1,000. Additionally, the maximum income threshold for both renters and homeowners to qualify for the program is now $45,000, up from $35,000.

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Credit: Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Getty Images

The Governor's office released a comprehensive breakdown of the changes that were made to the Property Tax Rent Rebate program:

- Increases the income cap from $35,000 to $45,000 for homeowners

- Increases the income cap from $15,000 to $45,000 for renters

- Automatically increases the income cap to grow with inflation, beginning in claim year 2024

- Increases the maximum rebate from $650 to $1,000

The bill received nearly unanimous bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania legislature. Last month, Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Appropriations Chairman, said, “Expanding Pennsylvania’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program has been a priority for Democrats for almost twenty years. With HB 1100, we’ll provide more financial relief to more seniors. We know seniors have struggled with inflation and the rising cost of property taxes and housing. Expanding a program that puts money back into pockets of low-income senior citizens is the right thing to do."

"This bill was already supported in the House, and I was proud to see it pass with bipartisan support in the Senate. Governor Shapiro is behind this effort. We’re very close to getting this done for people in Pennsylvania who will greatly benefit from this investment," Hughes added.

According to a CBS News report, this opens the program up to an additional 175,000 people, many of whom are senior citizens.

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Credit: Ethan Coston/Getty Images

Governor Shapiro took to Twitter to share an update about the changes to the state's property tax rebate, including confirmation of the 175,000 new eligible recipients:

“ For the first time since 2006, we are expanding the Property Tax Rent Rebate program. Nearly 175,000 more Pennsylvanians will qualify for relief, and many of the 400,000 seniors who already qualify will see their rebates nearly double. And the program is now tied to inflation — so we can always meet folks’ needs in a changing economy. We are making sure government works for everyone. ”

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The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides additional details for taxpayers who need more information about the new legislation. 

There is also an option to file a rebate application online using the state's myPATH system.

Are you glad the PTRR program has been expanded?

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Feature Image Credit: Manuel Augusto Moreno/Getty Images

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Rebekah Barton

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