The region’s seniors and the disabled have moved one step closer
to gaining property tax relief.

On Wednesday, state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, announced
that applications for the state’s Property Tax-Rent Rebate Program
for 2006 are now available at his district offices and on his Web
site, RepCauser.com.

Applications must be filed by June 30.

Causer said these are the first applications available under the
Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006, or Act 1, which expanded eligibility
for the Property Tax-Rent Rebate Program.

The new law increases the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000
for homeowners and boosts the maximum rebate from $500 to $650.
Those who apply should deduct half of any Social Security –
including Medicare premiums – or railroad retirement benefits from
other income when determining eligibility.

The program benefits people who are 65 or older, widows or
widowers 50 or older and disabled people 18 or older. Individuals
and married couples who meet the age and income requirements can
apply for a rebate based on the amount of property tax or rent they
paid during the previous year.

According to a rebate breakdown provided by Causer, if an
individual’s income level is between $0 and $8,000 – a homeowner’s
maximum rebate would be $650, while a renter’s maximum rebate would
be $650;

* An income level between $8,001 to $15,000 – a homeowner’s
maximum rebate would be $500 and a renter’s maximum rebate would be
$500;

* An income level between $15,001 and $18,000 – a homeowner’s
maximum rebate would be $300 and a renter’s maximum rebate would be
not applicable; and

* An income level between $18,001 and $35,000 – a homeowner’s
maximum rebate would be $250, while a renter’s maximum rebate would
be not applicable.

Applicants can receive a property tax or rent rebate only on a
residence they occupied during the period for which the rebate is
claimed.

Causer is also reminding residents to provide all the necessary
income, property tax or rental information required to process
claims quickly and accurately.

The property tax issue has been debated in the state Legislature
for a few years and lawmakers are currently trying to figure out
how to lessen the burden on a further swath of taxpayers during
this year’s session.

Last June, figures supplied by Causer said close to 4,600
seniors and low income residents across the four-county region
stand to gain from the legislation; McKean County is believed to
have an estimated 1,997 new claimants, a hike from 1,697 to
3,694.

The two methods of further property tax reduction that lawmakers
seem to be centering on during this session of the Legislature
include either raising the state sales tax from 6 to 7 percent or
personal income tax by .43 percent.

The current property tax reduction plan calls for slashing
property taxes by using projected slot machine revenues. As part of
the legislation, school districts across the region have been
voting on how to hike local earned income taxes. Voters will then
head to the polls in May to decide if they want such a shift in
taxes.

Residents looking to receive a Property Tax-Rent Rebate
application should contact one of Causer’s offices: at 78 Main St.
in Bradford or 2 Allegany Ave. in Coudersport.