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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Ben Turner |
State Rep. Tim
Seip D-Schuylkill/Berks
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Seip to introduce bill to allow local property tax, rent rebates
HARRISBURG, April 12 – State Rep. Tim Seip soon will introduce legislation to allow school boards and local governments to offer property tax and rent rebates to senior citizens and widowers or widows 50 or older, as the state already does.
The rebates would be up to $650 and would carry the same eligibility requirements as the state program – a person would have to be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or a permanently disabled person 18 or older. The household income limit would be $15,000 for renters or $35,000 for homeowners.
The local rebate programs would include an exemption already used for the lottery-funded state rebate program -- half of a person’s Social Security and railroad retirement income would not count toward the limit.
“This initiative would help many homeowners on fixed or limited incomes, who are often at the highest risk of losing their family homes due to property taxes. This would also give counties, school boards, cities, boroughs and townships an important tool to provide property tax relief,” Seip said.
Seip said a similar bill co-sponsored by then-Rep. Bob Allen passed the House last year, but the Senate failed to act on it.
Seip also reminded local residents that June 30 is the deadline to apply for a state rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2006. For an application or information, residents may contact any of Seip’s offices:
- Pottsville, 396 S. Centre St., open Monday through Wednesday and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., phone (570) 624-3145;
- Tilden Township, 874 Hex Highway, Hamburg, Monday through Wednesday and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; phone (610) 562-8435;
- Hegins, Tobash Insurance Agency Building, 9 Park Lane, open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; phone (570) 682-8747.
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