HARRISBURG, PA — With days left before the calendar turns, the Shapiro Administration is warning eligible Pennsylvanians that the window to claim thousands of dollars in property tax and rent relief is rapidly closing.
The deadline to apply for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is Wednesday, December 31, and officials say older residents, widows and widowers, and people with disabilities who miss it could forfeit rebates tied to housing costs paid in 2024.
The program was significantly expanded during Governor Josh Shapiro’s first year in office following a bipartisan agreement that marked its first major overhaul in nearly two decades. Changes included higher income limits, a maximum standard rebate increased to $1,000, and automatic adjustments to income thresholds to keep pace with inflation.
State revenue officials say the expansion is already delivering results. The Department of Revenue has processed nearly 513,000 rebates this year totaling more than $314 million, with additional applications still under review. Last year, more than 522,000 rebates worth over $319 million were distributed, including more than 106,000 first-time recipients who became eligible under the expanded rules.
Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne said the approaching deadline makes immediate action critical, particularly for residents who may need help completing their applications. He said assistance is available through Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, and state lawmakers’ offices, emphasizing that applicants can seek help through multiple entry points.
A recent departmental analysis found that repeat filers are now receiving rebates averaging 20.7 percent of the rent or property taxes they paid, up from 15.8 percent before the expansion. State officials say the increase is helping seniors and people with disabilities manage rising housing costs and remain in their homes.
The Department of Revenue has also partnered with other agencies, including the Department of Human Services, to reach residents who already receive benefits such as Medicaid or SNAP and may qualify for the rebate program.
The program is open to homeowners and renters who meet eligibility requirements: Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Applicants must reapply each year because rebates are based on annual income and the amount of rent or property tax paid.
Maximum standard rebates range from $1,000 for households earning up to $8,270 in 2024 to $380 for those earning between $18,611 and $46,520.
Officials say filing online through the myPATH system, available in English and Spanish, is the fastest option and does not require creating an account. Applicants who provide bank information can receive payments by direct deposit, while others will be mailed paper checks. Those who have already applied can track their rebate using the “Where’s My Rebate?” tool on myPATH.
State officials are urging eligible residents not to wait, warning that once December 31 passes, the opportunity to claim the 2024 rebate will be gone.
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