Harrisburg, PA — Thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro's expansion of Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program, there are thousands of older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities who are now eligible for the first time for this program. The Department of Revenue is encouraging everyone who is newly eligible for the PTRR program to submit their applications as soon as possible. Doing so will help the Department more quickly verify and process applications from first-time applicants, who are required to submit supporting documentation to verify their age and eligibility.
The PTRR program is now open for eligible Pennsylvanians to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2023.
"Thanks to Governor Shapiro leading the charge on the historic expansion of the PTRR program, there are nearly 175,000 people who are newly eligible for a rebate. The Governor rightfully recognized there was a pressing need to increase the program's income limits for the first time since 2006," Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne said. "We will move as quickly as possible to process every rebate application, but we are encouraging all eligible applicants — and especially first-time filers — to submit their applications as soon as they have all the necessary information and documentation in hand. This will help us deliver rebates as quickly as we can."
What should first-time filers expect?
When someone files for PTRR for the first time, DOR takes additional steps to verify the applicant's information is accurate to prevent fraud and to ensure that rebates are going out only to those who are eligible. Specific examples of required documentation for first-time filers are listed in this year's instruction booklet for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.
The Department is committed to being responsible stewards of this vital program and of taxpayer dollars, including protecting against fraud.
When will I get my rebate?
Rebate payments for the PTRR program are typically distributed starting on July 1. Due to the historic expansion signed into law by Governor Shapiro, DOR expects an unprecedented number of Pennsylvanians applying for this program in 2024. While DOR will move as quickly as possible to process every rebate application, first-time filers should anticipate that it may take additional time to review their rebate applications.
First-time filers who have filed by June 1, 2024 should expect to receive their rebates between July 1 and September 1, 2024. Some rebates may take additional time if DOR needs to correct or verify any information on a rebate application. This time frame for first-time filers' rebates is only for this year, due to the expansion resulting in a high number of new applicants.
The best way to ensure you receive your rebate on time is by filing as soon as possible at myPATH.pa.gov, and opting to receive your payment via direct deposit. Applicants can also receive a paper application by calling 1-888-222-9190.
You can follow the progress of your rebate on myPATH after you file by visiting myPATH.pa.gov and selecting the Where's My Rebate? link on the homepage to check the status of your rebate.
File Your Application Online through myPATH
The Department strongly encourages all PTRR applicants to file their applications online by visiting myPATH (mypath.pa.gov). This is a user-friendly system that provides instant confirmation that an application has been successfully filed, allows access to automatic calculators, reduces errors, and includes other helpful features to assist in expediting the filing of an application.
myPATH also features a Spanish version of the online application for the first time this year to assist Spanish-speaking applicants.
DOR is Working to Process Rebates as Quickly as Possible
DOR has been preparing for the unprecedented number of applicants and working to ensure the Shapiro Administration can deliver for Pennsylvanians.
Specifically, the Department has:
- Added additional full-time staff and is working to hire an additional 25 temporary staff.
- Stationed DOR staff at Area Agencies on Aging and senior centers throughout the Commonwealth to deliver direct in-person support to eligible Pennsylvanians and to help Pennsylvanians limit errors when applying.
- Made system improvements to better utilize existing functions within myPATH to validate eligibility for first-time filers.
- Changed myPATH to prevent common errors from being allowed when filling out the application.
About the PTRR Expansion Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a
historic expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program, making good on the commitment he made to Pennsylvania seniors, widows and widowers, and people with disabilities during his campaign and in his inaugural budget address to ease the burden of rising costs.
Thanks to the Governor, more Pennsylvanians will qualify and — at the same time — the vast majority who qualified in prior years will see their rebates increase. This is the first time the program has been expanded since 2006. The expansion:
- Increases the maximum standard rebate from $650 to $1,000.
- Increases the income cap from $35,000 to $45,000 for homeowners.
- Increases the income cap from $15,000 to $45,000 for renters.
- Automatically increases the income cap to grow with inflation in years to come.
PTRR Eligibility The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Since its inception in 1971, the PTRR program has delivered more than $8 billion in property tax and rent relief to some of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable residents. The PTRR program is supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and receives funding from gaming.
It's free to apply for a rebate, and applicants are reminded that free assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state, including
Department of Revenue district offices,
local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, and state legislators' offices. As a reminder, applicants must reapply for rebates every year because rebates are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid in each year.
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