Inside Harrisburg

by state Rep. Dan Frankel

Deadline to apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebate extended to Dec. 31;

New online tool lets you track status

Seniors and others who qualify may apply for a state Property Tax/Rent Rebate. The deadline to apply has been extended to Dec. 31. Rebate forms are available in my office, and my staff can assist you in completing them. To qualify for the program, a person must be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or 18 or older with a permanent disability. Rebates issued this year are based on property taxes or rent paid in 2008.

The total household income limit is $35,000 for homeowners, or $15,000 for renters. Only half of Social Security or Tier 1 Railroad Retirement income counts toward the limit; 100 percent of all other income is included. If you qualify, the maximum rebate is $650.

The state Department of Revenue plans to begin distributing the rebates after July 1, and this year the program has a new online feature to help applicants track their rebates.

If you’re eager to learn the status of your rebate, you can check it six weeks after submitting your application – simply visit www.papropertytaxrelief.com and click on "Where's my Property Tax/Rent Rebate?" A similar feature is available via phone by calling toll free 1-888-PATAXES.

You will need to enter your Social Security number, anticipated rebate amount and date of birth. After the six-week wait period, the site can be used to confirm claim status, rebate amount and the date a rebate is expected to be mailed or direct-deposited.

I am also working to keep property taxes in check on primary homes across Pennsylvania. The state Senate's Republican majority recently passed a budget bill (S.B. 850) that would cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from education, shifting that burden to local property taxes.

I stand with most House Democrats and Gov. Rendell in opposing the Senate's budget, and I will work to achieve a reasonable compromise that helps to meet the increased needs we are seeing in these difficult economic times.

As always, please contact my office at 412-422-1774 or visit my Web site at www.pahouse.com/Frankel for assistance or information on any state-related matter.

# # #