PA House Bill Seeks To Expand Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

HARRISBURG — A Democratic lawmaker from Montgomery County has introduced legislation that he says is aimed at offsetting the negative impact of rising inflation and high property taxes in the commonwealth.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146, announced Thursday his sponsorship of House Bill 2721, which is designed to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program in Pennsylvania.

The program offers financial relief to eligible state residents ages 65 or older, widows or widowers aged 50 or older, and individuals with disabilities who are 18 years of age or older.

Ciresi says that the current income limit of $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters is not sufficient.

"Pennsylvania residents are struggling to afford basic necessities, including housing, due to rising inflation," Ciresi said in a statement. "While inflation has risen, the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program's stagnant income limits have prevented increasing numbers of individuals from accessing this critical lifeline. My legislation will update income requirements and other provisions of the PTRR so more individuals in need can receive assistance and property tax relief from this vital program."

The proposed measure would:

• Increase income limits for homeowners and renters to $50,000 and $25,000 respectively
• Permanently reinstate a provision that would ensure individuals are not deemed ineligible for PTRR solely due to cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security
• Allow individuals to deduct the face amount of property taxes paid when determining income for the program, helping homeowners in areas that have higher property taxes
• Allow more homeowners to qualify for supplemental rebates by opening them up to any property tax rebate recipient whose taxes exceed 15 percent of their income, thereby eliminating the $30,000 income gap

Ciresi said that while the program is a great resource for many state residents, it is in need of an update because "too many people are getting left behind at this critical hour."

"If passed, my legislation would make more Pennsylvanians eligible for this important relief, give existing rebate recipients more support in these critical times, and make sure that more seniors don't end up needlessly losing eligibility for this program in the future," Ciresi stated. "With the Pennsylvania lottery continuing to post record profits, it's time to give more money back to our residents to keep them in their homes."

Ciresi's office said that the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs in the commonwealth that are supported by the Pennsylvania lottery.

Legislative records show that the bill currently has 26 co-sponsors.