If property taxes are adding to the pressure, Pennsylvania has a free rebate program many homeowners never think to claim.
You’re not alone, and a rising property tax bill on top of everything else doesn’t mean you’re out of options. If you’re 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or living with a disability, Pennsylvania has a program that puts real money back in your pocket — and every year, a surprising number of eligible homeowners across Greater Philadelphia never apply.
It’s called the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, and it’s run by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. In plain terms: if your income falls under the program’s limit, the state sends you a rebate on the property taxes (or rent) you paid last year. It isn’t a loan, and it has nothing to do with whether you’re behind on your mortgage. It’s simply money the Commonwealth sets aside for homeowners and renters who qualify — money that goes unclaimed every year because people assume they won’t qualify, or have never heard of it.
Who it’s for
Homeowners 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and people with disabilities 18 and older, who meet the program’s income guidelines. Income limits have expanded in recent years (indexed for inflation under Act 7 of 2023), so it’s worth checking even if you were told “no” a few years back.
What it can cover
A rebate based on the property taxes you already paid the year before. Homeowners in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Pittsburgh may also qualify for a supplemental rebate on top of the standard amount. We can’t tell you your exact rebate — that depends on your income, your county, and your paid tax bill — but the Department of Revenue can walk you through it for free.
How to apply
Applications go through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at revenue.pa.gov, by mail, or in person at a Department of Revenue district office. Many local Area Agencies on Aging also offer free, in-person help filling out the paperwork — a good option if the forms feel like one more thing on an already full plate. There’s no cost to apply, and no obligation.
Free resources to start with
- PA Department of Revenue — revenue.pa.gov or 1-888-222-9190 for Property Tax/Rent Rebate questions and application help.
- Your local Area Agency on Aging — free, in-person help completing the rebate application, in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and every other PA county.
- PA 211 — dial 211 or visit pa211.org for free help connecting to this and other hardship programs near you.
If there’s more going on
Sometimes a property tax bill is just one piece of a bigger picture — a mortgage that’s fallen behind, a tax lien, or a home you’ve inherited and aren’t sure what to do with. If that’s where you are, a trusted partner like a HUD-approved housing counselor or a PA Legal Aid attorney can help you look at the whole situation, not just one bill. That’s always optional, and always your call — we’ll never push you toward a partner you don’t need.
A rebate check won’t solve everything, and this isn’t legal, financial, or tax advice — for your specific numbers, the Department of Revenue or a tax professional is the right call. But claiming money that’s already yours is one small, concrete step forward, and you deserve to know it’s there.
Hablamos español. Si prefiere hablar en español sobre este programa o cualquier otra opción, con gusto le ayudamos.
Schedule your free, pressure-free Strategy Session at WayOutNow.com — we’ll help you look at the whole picture, not just the tax bill.
