PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Editor's note: The above video is from Feb. 27.
Pennsylvanians submitting applications for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program will be able to get free help in the coming weeks if they so choose.
Representatives from the Department of Revenue will visit senior and community centers across the Commonwealth to assist residents who need help filing the application, all for free. The Shapiro Administration says the assistance is partially to help Pennsylvanians who are newly eligible for the program after Gov. Shapiro expanded it.
"We know from our experience that many of our fellow Pennsylvanians benefit from having a face-to-face conversation with one of our experienced representatives who can help guide them through the PTRR filing process,” Revenue Secretary Pat Browne said in a press release. “We have been working hard this year to increase the number of locations and in-person opportunities for seniors to receive the help they need, whether that is for a rebate claim or assistance with a state tax return. This assistance is especially needed now that there are nearly 175,000 people newly eligible for a rebate under the PTRR program thanks to Governor Shapiro’s work.”
While residents are getting help with their PTRR applications, they can also receive assistance with filing their personal income tax returns (PA-40s).
Help on the PTRR application and taxes will be available throughout March, and additional dates and times are scheduled for the coming months. Inclement weather may impact this schedule, and it could be subject to change, officials said.
PTRR applicants looking for help can use a lookup tool on the DoR's website to find the closest location to them to receive the in-person help. A complete list of locations is also available online. Once you find your preferred location, the Department recommends calling or emailing to schedule an appointment.
Here is a list of locations offering help in central Pennsylvania:
Adams County
Littlestown Senior Center, 10 Locust St., Littlestown
• March 18 | 9 a.m. to noon
McSherrystown Senior Center, 201 S. Third St., McSherrystown
• March 22 | 9 a.m. to noon
York Springs Senior Center, 406 Main St., York Springs
• March 27 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cumberland County
Branch Creek Place, 115 N. Fayette St., Shippensburg
• March 19 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Carlisle Senior Action Center, 20 E. Pomfret St., Carlisle
• March 7 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mary C. Schaner Senior Center, 98 S. Enola Dr., Enola
• March 4 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mechanicsburg Place, 97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg
• March 6 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West Shore Senior Citizens Center, 122 Geary Ave., New Cumberland
• March 20 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dauphin County
East Hanover Senior Center, 8848 Jonestown Rd., Grantville
• March 21 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Millersburg Senior Center, 109 Edward Dr., Millersburg
• March 11 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Franklin County
Fort Loudon Senior Activity Center, 142 Mullen St., Fort Loudon
• March 5 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Path Valley Senior Activity Center, 20344 School Rd., Dry Run
• March 8 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuscarora Senior Activity Center, 11300 Fort Loudon Rd., Mercersburg
• March 13 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Upper Strasburg Senior Activity Center, 9843 Community Rd., Upper Strasburg
• March 12 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lancaster County
Columbia Senior Center, 510 Walnut St., Columbia
• March 1 | 9 to 11 a.m.
Elizabethtown Area Senior Center, 70 S. Poplar St., Elizabethtown
• March 26 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center, 33 E. Farnum St., Lancaster
• March 14 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lititz Senior Center, 201 E. Market St., Lititz
• March 25 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saca Senior Center, 545 Pershing Ave., Lancaster
• March 28 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lebanon County
Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging, 710 Maple St., Lebanon
• March 15 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here is what the DoR recommends you bring to your appointment:
Applicants who need assistance with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application (PA-1000) should check the eligibility guidelines on the PTRR Program. The new claim season for the recent expansion of the PTRR program opened on January 16, 2024. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Taxpayers who need assistance with the Pennsylvania personal income tax return (PA-40) should bring their tax information/income statements, a photo identification card (driver's license, etc.), and Social Security cards for themselves and their dependents. As a reminder, all taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Monday, April 15, 2024.