Gov. Shapiro rallied for his proposal to expand property tax and rebate program for 175,000 more seniors at West Shore Senior Center.
According to Shapiro, based on comments from politicians on both sides of the aisle, he is still hopeful that this rebate plan would be adjusted in the final budget package for 2023-24 that is being negotiated with the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-controlled House.
Pennsylvania’s Property Expansion
Shapiro claims that his plan will help more seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes by increasing the maximum rebate from $650 to $1,000, raising the income eligibility cap for both renters and homeowners to $45,000, and tying the income cap to future cost-of-living increases.
According to Shapiro, the expansion will qualify almost 175,000 more Pennsylvanians, and many of the 400,000 who already qualified would see their rebates nearly quadruple.
The formula for calculating the Property Tax/Rent Rebate has not been modified in 17 years.
Shapiro would need to persuade Senate Republicans to support the measure, which could cost $130 million in the first year. Some Republican members have expressed concern about Shapiro’s budget’s long-term recurrent costs.
Eligible For The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The refund program is available to qualifying Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and those with disabilities 18 and older.
The current income cap is $35,000 per year for homeowners and $15,000 per year for renters, with half of Social Security income excluded.
Spouses, personal representatives, or estates may also file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived in the qualifying year for at least one day and met all other eligibility criteria.
The maximum normal rebate is now $650. Because refunds are based on income, applicants must reapply every year.
Each year, property taxes or rent are paid, as is annual income.
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