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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep. Nick Kotik |
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December 2007
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
If you take a look outside, you can see the signs of the season: Christmas lights, snow, people bundled in winter coats. Yes, the holiday season is upon us and so comes with it the busiest time of year for many of us. We’re all trying to find that perfect tree and that perfect gift to put under that tree for our loved ones. But this year, amidst all of the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year’s Day, I’d like to remind you that one of the best presents you may receive this holiday won’t necessarily be found under a tree. It may come in your mailbox.
As you read this, time is running out to fill out the form to receive a property tax or rent rebate. You have until Dec. 31 to do so, and I cannot stress enough how important it is to apply now. If you qualify, the minimum rebate is $250 and the maximum is $650.
The first step is to find out if you qualify to receive money back from what you paid in 2006. The following guidelines may be a start in determining if you may be eligible. You may be eligible for the program if you are:
- 65 or older;
- 50 or older and widowed; or
- 18 or older and permanently disabled.
In addition to age requirements, there are also income guidelines. If you own your home, your income, excluding half of your Social Security benefits, cannot exceed $35,000. If you rent, your income, excluding half of your Social Security benefits, cannot exceed $15,000.
I would also like to add that applicants only have to include half of Supplemental Security or federal railroad retirement Tier 1 benefits when figuring their income levels for this program.
This year, it is particularly important to see you qualify for a rebate, especially if you’re a senior citizen, because the income limit for homeowners is dramatically expanded, thanks to a law for which I voted. Seniors and many others now qualify for the very first time. The program is funded by the state lottery, not tax dollars.
This law delivers the largest property tax cut in Pennsylvania history by providing expanded rebates to renters and homeowners, and in some cases, completely eliminating seniors’ property tax bills. Take a look at these facts and figures just from this year alone:
- 450,000 seniors have received property tax or rent rebates.
- That’s 140,000 more than before the new law.
- 200,000 seniors will eventually pay nothing at all in property taxes once gaming money becomes available.
However, locally at least 18,000 people who qualify still need to apply. The good news is tens of thousands of people have already gone through the first step, the application process, in receiving a rebate. But there are so many others who still need to apply. One of them may be you.
Even if you haven’t qualified for the rebate in the past, you may qualify now, especially if you own your own home and, again, if your household income is less than $35,000, or if you rent and your income is $15,000 or less.
The actual rebate amounts vary from applicant to applicant, based on many of the above factors. This is money that is there to help; it is money that can make a big difference, so I urge to you to find out if you’re eligible as soon as possible. Remember, this application process is the first and most important step in getting money back.
This can be a confusing process and one that may leave some people with a lot of questions. That is why I and my staff are here to help. We can answer the tough questions and get the ball rolling on what could be your best present of all this Christmas. As always, please feel free to contact me by calling my Coraopolis office at 412-264-4260 or by sending me an e-mail through my Web site: www.pahouse.com/kotik.
May you have a safe and happy holiday season.
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CONTACT:
Stephany Dugan |