Burns votes to enhance popular Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Rep. Frank Burns May 7, 2013
HARRISBURG, May 7 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, supported legislation that would permanently extend to Dec. 31 the deadline of the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
The bill, which passed the House Monday, would make several enhancements, including the deadline extension, to the state program that offers property tax and rent rebates for the previous tax year to qualified disabled adult and older Pennsylvanians.
"The current deadline for this program is June 30, but each year, for as long as I can remember, the state has extended the deadline for another six months, to December 31," Burns said. "This bill simply makes that familiar action a permanent one, and gives applicants more time to apply."
The bill also would increase the amount of death benefits that may be exempted when considering income for program eligibility. Current law exempts the first $5,000 of death benefits. The bill would increase that amount to $10,000.
Additionally, Burns said, the bill would clarify current law to ensure that the families of applicants who die prior to applying for the rebate would benefit from the program. An executor or administrator would be able to apply for the rebate on the deceased's behalf if the late individual was eligible for the program on the date he or she died.
Current law only permits rebate claims for eligible deceased individuals if they were alive for the entire year for which the rebate is being claimed.
The Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is available to residents who are 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older and adults with disabilities, with an annual income limit of $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters. When computing income, applicants may exclude half of their Social Security, Supplemental Security or federal Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits from the income requirements.
To date, the program has provided $5.4 billion in rebates. More than 596,000 Pennsylvanians received a rebate last year.
The bill (H.B. 468) now goes to the Senate for consideration.