HARRISBURG - Much of the public focus with slots-funded property tax relief is on the average $200 reduction in tax bills that Pennsylvania homeowners will get this summer.
Yet some 120,000 senior citizens who live in their own homes will have something else to look forward to. Their entire school property tax bill will be eliminated because they are eligible for tax relief from two sources, the general slots revenue earmarked for property owners and the senior-oriented Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, which is funded by both state lottery and a share of slots revenue.
"Property tax and rent rebates, combined with general property tax relief from slots gaming, provide significant support to older Pennsylvanians," said Revenue Secretary Daniel Meuser.
The rebate program dates back to 1971 when the Pennsylvania Lottery was created to pay for a variety of senior citizen benefits. The rebate program is for eligible Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older and individuals with disabilities 18 and older.
Under a 2006 state law, a share of slots revenue from the licensed casinos was earmarked to expand this program. Both the income eligibility limit and the maximum rebate were increased.
As a result, the annual income limit is $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters and half of their Social Security income is excluded from the eligibility calculation. The maximum rebate went to $650 from $500.
The Revenue Department is following a long-standing practice of extending the deadline for applying for the rebate on 2010 property tax bills from June 30 to Dec. 31, said department spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell. The department has that option under state law and would typically be exercised to make sure everyone has time to apply for the tax relief.
As of last month, the department had received more than 532,000 rebate applications. Rebate checks will begin to be distributed on July 1.
Applicants can obtain claim forms on line at www.revenue.state.pa.us or calling toll-free at 1-888-PATAXES.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com