Lehigh Times

Department of Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell recently clarified the details regarding the bonus rebates for Pennsylvania residents who qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

Under the program, which was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf, older and disabled Pennsylvanians who were approved for a rebate in property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive an additional rebate amounting to 70 percent of their original rebate, according to an Aug. 2 news release from Gov. Tom Wolf's office. Claimants could receive a bonus rebate of up to $1,657.50.

“We want claimants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to know that they do not need to take any additional action to receive their one-time bonus rebates,” Hassell said in the release. “If you are a claimant who has already filed your application form for the 2021 claim year, the Department of Revenue will take care of everything on the back end to ensure you get the extra money you are entitled to. If you are an eligible Pennsylvanian who has not yet filed an application, there is still plenty of time to do so.”

Wolf explained the bonuses are “a commonsense way” to allocate COVID-19 relief money to assist the state’s most vulnerable individuals, according to the release.

“By using this money for a one-time infusion of funding for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, we can improve the lives of Pennsylvanians who are still recovering in many ways from the pandemic,” Wolf said in the release. “Many of the Pennsylvanians who participate in this program are on a fixed income, and a boosted payment this year will help keep people in their homes during a time of rising inflation and higher costs.”

The deadline to apply for the rebate program has been extended to Dec. 31, the release reported.