HARRISBURG, PA — The much anticipated tax season is here, and for those daunted by the thought of navigating the terrain of tax filing, there’s help at hand. In an endeavor to ease the process, the Department of Revenue (DOR) representatives will be touring senior and community centers all over the Commonwealth in the coming weeks. Their mission: to provide much needed assistance to Pennsylvanians seeking help with their Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program applications.
This is not just another yearly initiative but a significant development that aims to ease the tax-filing stress for a wider demographic. Thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro’s successful campaign to expand the PTRR program—the first time since 2006—more Pennsylvanians are now eligible for the program.
The representatives from DOR will not only guide respondents through the PTRR filing process but will also aid Pennsylvanians in completing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns (PA-40s), now that the tax season has officially kicked off.
The DOR’s expedition is an upgrade, designed to be more user-friendly, and includes an online tool on the department’s website. This tool allows PTRR applicants to find locations near them where they can receive in-person assistance by merely entering a zip code. The locations include Department of Revenue district offices, Area Agencies on Aging, and state legislators’ offices. However, it is advisable to call or email ahead to ensure a slot is available.
According to Revenue Secretary Pat Browne, “We understand that many Pennsylvanians prefer a face-to-face interaction with our experienced representatives who can walk them through the PTRR filing process in a personalised and comprehensive way.” The department is bent on increasing accessible locations where seniors can get the help they need, especially now with nearly 175,000 new faces eligible for a rebate under the expanded PTRR program.
As the tax season progresses, DOR staff will be present in various counties throughout March, with more dates planned in the coming months. However, these schedules are weather-dependent and may be subject to changes.
For those who prefer a hands-on approach, a complete and current list of locations listed by county is available online. Again, it is recommended to verify the availability of representatives and make an appointment.
It is noteworthy that so far, in 2024, the DOR has received over 84,000 PTRR applications, almost double the number received during the same period last year. Applicants are advised to respond promptly to requests for additional information from the DOR to ensure they receive their rebate in a timely manner.
As the new claim season opened on January 16, 2024, applicants looking for assistance for the PTRR program should review the eligibility guidelines on the PTRR Program. The rebate program is designed to benefit eligible Pennsylvanians over the age of 65; widows and widowers over the age of 50; and people with disabilities over the age of 18.
For those seeking assistance with the PA-40 personal income tax return, they should ideally carry their tax information or income statements, a photo identification card, and Social Security cards for them and their dependents. Remember, all taxpayers who earned more than $33 in total gross taxable income in 2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight on Monday, April 15, 2024.
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