Pat Browne and Jason Kavulich: How to get the most out of expansion of Property Tax/Rent Rebate program

When Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed historic legislation creating Act 7 of 2023, he kept a promise he made to older Pennsylvanians by delivering a major expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program. The governor recognizes this program serves as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people in our commonwealth, so he rightfully made it a priority to deliver the largest targeted tax cut for Pennsylvania’s seniors in nearly two decades.

As the leaders of two state departments that play critical roles in administering this program, we want Pennsylvania homeowners and renters to know that they don’t need to take any immediate action to benefit from the PTRR expansion.

Starting in mid-January 2024, those eligible will be able to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2023. As this application period opens, here is what’s changing under the program’s new guidelines that are part of the expansion first proposed by the governor:

• The maximum standard rebate is increasing from $650 to $1,000.

• The income cap for both renters and homeowners will be made equal and increase to $45,000 a year.

• The income caps will be tied to the cost-of-living moving forward, meaning those who receive a rebate won’t lose their eligibility in the future due to increases in Social Security payments.

The governor’s plan expands the PTRR program to nearly 175,000 more Pennsylvania seniors and others with disabilities. At the same time, 86% of the 430,000 claimants who already qualified for the program under the prior guidelines will see their rebates increase.

The process and systems that are already in place — and that have served PTRR applicants for years — will remain the same.

The eligibility criteria will stay the same, meaning the program will continue to benefit eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

Pennsylvanians eligible for the PTRR program will be able to apply for their rebates either online or by paper:

• Online: File for a rebate using myPATH (mypath.pa.gov), the Department of Revenue’s online filing system. Filing online gives instant confirmation that a claim has been successfully filed, allows access to automatic calculators and includes other helpful features.

• Paper: Anyone who filed for a 2022 rebate by paper will automatically be mailed a paper instruction booklet/application form. Starting in mid-January , you can also find the paper application online (revenue.pa.gov/ptrr) or by calling 888-222-9190.

You can find other helpful information and answers to FAQs by visiting the Department of Revenue’s website.

The expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is delivering on a pledge Shapiro made to our seniors and to people with disabilities to provide them with financial relief as they struggle under the burden of rising prices.

Pat Browne is secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, which administers the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and operates the Pennsylvania Lottery. Jason Kavulich is secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, which works to ensure that older Pennsylvanians have access to quality services and supports that help them age and live well.