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Josephs reminds residents of new income limits for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program in 2007

Deadline for current program is Dec. 31

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., is reminding residents about the expanded income eligibility guidelines for the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program enacted by the legislature earlier this year. The new income limits take effect in January.

Josephs said the household eligibility income limit for homeowners has been increased from $15,000 to $35,000. The maximum rebate for homeowners and renters also has been increased from $500 to $650. In addition, some Philadelphia homeowners, depending on their income, may be eligible for a rebate up to $975.

"This expansion of the popular Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which helps out senior citizens and others on limited incomes, goes into effect in January. The expansion is the first part of our efforts to reduce the burden property taxes and Philadelphia's wage tax place on homeowners by using money generated from slots facilities in the state," Josephs said.

"Overall, more than 4,000 senior households in the 182^nd District, of the 800,000 eligible statewide, will benefit from this program expansion, which will be funded by the state's gaming activities."

Eligibility requirements will remain the same: seniors 65 and older, widows or widowers 50 and older, and people 18 and older with a permanent disability. Plus, Josephs noted, applicants still only need to count half of their Social Security or federal railroad retirement benefits when calculating their income.

The chart below shows the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments based on eligibility.

*Annual Income*	*Homeowners*	*Renters*
$0 - $8,000	$650	$650
$8,001- $15,000	$500	$500
$15,001- $18,000	$300	n/a
$18,001- $35,000	$250	n/a

Senior homeowners in Philadelphia who qualify for a property tax rebate and whose income is less than $30,000 will be eligible for an additional rebate of 50 percent, for a maximum of $975.

Josephs said that while this expansion mainly applies to homeowners, renters earning less than $8,000 also will qualify for a higher rebate -- as much as $650.

Homeowners who think they may be eligible under this expansion can sign up now to have a property tax rebate form mailed to them when it becomes available in February 2007. Visit www.pahouse.com/josephs and click on the green box on the left of the screen, or call her office at 215-893-1515.

On a related note, Josephs said there's still time to apply for a rebate under the current Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which covers the 2005 tax year. That deadline is Dec. 31. Call Josephs' office for more information or assistance. To check on the receipt and status of a claim, call 1-888-PATAXES (1-888-728-2937).