Eligible Pennsylvanians can expect an additional property tax and rent rebate this week.
Governor Tom Wolf announced that thousands of older and disabled Pennsylvanians who have already received a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program will receive a one-time bonus rebate beginning this week. Under the new law, Pennsylvanians who are approved for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive an additional one-time bonus rebate equal to 70 percent of their original rebate amount. This means a claimant’s total amount could be as much as $1,657.50 (up from a previous maximum of $975).
The Department of Revenue has already processed 361,042 one-time bonus rebates for claimants who were approved for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021. These claimants do not need to take any additional action to secure their bonus rebates. Rather, they will automatically receive their one-time bonus rebates through the same method (direct deposit or mailed paper check) that they received their original rebates earlier this year.
“Although we originally said that we expected one-time bonus rebates to be paid starting in September, we are extremely pleased that we’re ahead of schedule and prepared to start providing this needed relief earlier than anticipated,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “At the same time, we are asking claimants who are expecting a paper check in the mail to be patient. It will take several weeks to mail all of the checks for the one-time bonus rebates, whereas those who elected direct deposit on their application forms should see their bonus rebates sooner. I would also like to thank the staff at the Pennsylvania Treasury for working with us to ensure that bonus rebates are distributed as quickly as possible.”
The one-time bonus rebates were designed to provide additional relief to some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-time bonus rebates are funded by approximately $140 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
What Do You Need to Do to Receive a Bonus Rebate?
If you are an eligible claimant of the Property/Tax Rent Rebate Program who has already filed an application (PA-1000) for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021, you do not need to take any further action. The Department of Revenue will take care of everything on the back end to ensure you receive your original rebate and bonus rebate for the 2021 claim year.
Eligible claimants who have not yet applied are encouraged to do so online by visiting myPATH, the Department of Revenue’s online filing system. Submitting your application through myPATH is easy and does not require you to sign up for an account (username/password). Claimants may also find a paper application and instructions on the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program by visiting www.revenue.pa.gov/ptrr.
Answers to other frequently asked questions about the one-time bonus rebates are available by visiting One-Time Bonus Rebates on the Department of Revenue’s website.
Process for Combined Rebate Payments (Original + One-Time Bonus)
Some Pennsylvanians’ rebate applications for the 2021 claim year are still being processed, meaning they are waiting to be approved for their original rebates (and one-time bonus rebates). If you are a claimant in this situation and your application is approved, you will receive a combined rebate (original + one-time bonus) in a one-time payment. You will receive your combined rebate through the method you selected on your application form (check or direct deposit).
Those who have not yet applied for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive one combined payment if approved for a rebate. The Department of Revenue encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. The processing of rebates — and bonus rebates — will continue through the end of the year as additional applications are received. The department will work as quickly as possible to process payment applications promptly. The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 is Dec. 31, 2022.
Rebate Filing Assistance
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. Applicants may also visit the department’s Online Customer Service Center to find helpful tips and answers to commonly asked questions about the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
Visit the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program page on the Department of Revenue’s website for more information on the program, including income limits and historical background.
