On Friday, August 4, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1100 into law. The bill – which passed both chambers in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion – expands the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program: a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania renters and homeowners. The PTRR program benefits Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and those with disabilities 18 and older.
Thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro and the continued advocacy of Pennsylvania Democrats, our commonwealth’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program has expanded for the first time in nearly two decades. The program is considered a lifeline for the Pennsylvania renters and homeowners who need it most, and its expansion will affect hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, including thousands who are newly eligible.
Because of the expansion, the Department of Revenue is encouraging first-time applicants to apply as soon as possible. Doing so will help the department quickly verify and process first-timer applications and make sure any supporting documentation is requested and received well ahead of the June 30, 2024 deadline.
Whether you are a first-time or returning applicant, here’s what you need to know about the PTRR program and expansion.
What is the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program?
It is a Pennsylvania program providing rebates on property tax or rent paid the previous year by income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities. The program is for income-eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
What's New This Year
Thanks to the program’s expansion, nearly 175,000 more Pennsylvanians qualify for a property tax or rent rebate. Additionally, many of the 430,000 Pennsylvanians who previously qualified under the program’s prior guidelines will see their rebates increase. The key changes are as follows:
- The income cap for homeowners has increased from $35,000 to $45,000,
- The income cap for renters has increased from $15,000 to $45,000,
- The maximum standard rebate has increased from $650 to $1,000,
- Automatically increases the income cap to grow with inflation in years to come.
The PTRR program has been around since 1971 and is one of five programs funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. This is the first time the program has been expanded since 2006.
Important Dates to Remember
The application deadline is June 30, 2024, and rebates are set to begin rolling out early July 2024. Again, the Department of Revenue is encouraging eligible Pennsylvanians to apply early, especially first-time applicants. If extra funding is available, the deadline will be extended to December 31, 2024, and applications postmarked by that date will be accepted for processing. We will update you if the deadline is extended.
How Do I Apply?
You can apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program online, by mail, or in-person. The Department of Revenue advises that submitting your application online through myPATH is the fastest and most secure process.
What Do I Need?
- Proof of identity (first time filers only);
- Documentation showing all income received in 2023, including Social Security Income, retirement funds, or other interest bearing accounts;
- A completed PA rent certificate (for renters only);
- Bank account and routing information if you would like direct deposit.
For homeowners only:
- Proof of payment/receipt for Allegheny County taxes
- Proof of payment/receipt for local municipality taxes
- Proof of payment/receipt for school district taxes
What if I Need Help with the Process?
If you need in-person help with filing your PTRR application, call my district offices:
Forest Hills: (412) 241-6690
Bloomfield: (412) 578-8457
The Department of Revenue also can help at its district offices, and the department has also set up in-person filing assistance events across the commonwealth.