(2/2023)  Apply Now for 2022 Property Tax and Rent Rebate

Pennsylvanians who are eligible for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program can apply now for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2022. Applicants do not need to pay anyone for assistance. FREE help is available by contacting my district office. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The annual income limit is $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners. The deadline to apply is June 30. Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1. For more information visit www.revenue.pa.gov/IncentivesCreditsPrograms

Apply Now for 2023 Pennsylvania House Scholarships

College-bound high school seniors in need of college assistance can now apply for one of two scholarships awarded annually by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Each year the program presents a four-year scholarship to two Pennsylvania graduating high school seniors with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. The students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school. Other factors taken into consideration for the awards are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need. Apply now through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Application deadline is April 1. The scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.

Better Tax Benefits for PA 529, PA ABLE Savings Programs

The tax benefits for contributing to PA 529 and PA ABLE accounts are getting better in 2023, as higher Pennsylvania state Personal Income Tax deductions are now in place for both programs. PA 529 account owners may now deduct up to $17,000 of contributions to their accounts, or $34,000 for couples filing jointly, provided both spouses have at least $17,000 of income. The PA state income tax deduction for 529 contributions is available to any PA taxpayer, making gift contributions an attractive benefit for family members or friends. PA ABLE account owners will also be able to deduct up to $17,000 for contributions to their accounts. The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program is designed to help PA families save for future educational expenses, while the PA ABLE Savings Program is a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining government disability benefits. To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000. To learn more about PA ABLE, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.

Does Your Home Contain Radon?

An estimated 40% of Pennsylvania homes have higher levels of radon than national safety standards, due to the state’s geology. However, residents can perform a simple test to detect this gas, which is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is an odorless, invisible radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and enters homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. High levels of radon tend to be found in basements, but the gas can be found anywhere in the home. Winter is a good time to test for radon, because doors and windows are generally closed, providing more accurate results. Simple radon test kits are inexpensive and available at home improvement and hardware stores. To learn more about radon and how to test your home, visit www.dep.pa.gov