Supplemental Property Tax Rebate Program

State College Area School District (SCASD) Offers Property Tax Rebate Program

On May 4, 2015, the State College Area Board of School Directors approved a property tax rebate program for senior citizens, widows, widowers and disabled persons who meet certain income eligibility guidelines and who are homeowners.  The rebate program was modeled after the Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate program (see more information below) which is administered by the PA Department of Revenue and funded by PA Lottery proceeds.  

The 2023-24 State College Area School District budget includes an allotment of $100,000 for the continuation of the Supplemental Property Tax Rebate Program. By continuing the rebate program, the board is demonstrating a willingness to help the aforementioned individuals. The resolution was presented for Board approval for the eighth year of the program to begin on July 1, 2023.

District applications are included with school real estate tax bills mailed in July.  Applications are also available at the following locations: 

1.  State College Area School District website:  download and print a pdf of the 2022 claim form here (for property tax bills issued July 2022).

2.  State College Area School District Accounting Office located at 240 Villa Crest Dr., State College, PA  16801, (814) 272-8456.

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Information about the State College Area School District Supplemental Property Tax Rebate Program

Purpose
This program is authorized on an annual basis by the Board of School Directors to provide property tax relief for eligible households in the State College Area School District.  Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis.  The maximum annual rebate for a household is $650 under this program.

Eligibility

1.    Claimant is a homeowner in the State College Area School District.  Renters are not eligible for this SCASD rebate program.

2.     Meets any of the following criteria:

o   Claimant or claimant’s spouse is age 65 or older;

o   Widows and widowers age 50 and older;

o   People with disabilities age 18 and older.

3.    Household income does not exceed $35,000 per year.  One half of your social security income is excluded from this calculation.

4.    Property is registered for a homestead/farmstead exclusion in the State College Area School District.

5.    Claimant has been awarded a rebate from the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.  More information on this  program can be found here.  

6.    Real estate tax bills issued July 1 must have been paid by December 31 of the applicable tax year.  

How to Apply

1.    Residents seeking a rebate must first apply to Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.  Your rebate amount depends on your eligibility level in the State program.  There is a limit to the total amount of relief from state and local programs.

     2.   Submit a copy of the following with your district rebate application:

o   Completed PA-1000 for the applicable year. The form is available here.    

o   Evidence of receipt of amount from your Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program (copy of rebate check or bank statement showing rebate direct deposit).

3.    If you moved or had a change in your personal status during the year, your rebate will be prorated.  See PA-1000 for details.

4.    Application materials should be sent to:

              Supplemental Property Tax Program

              State College Area School District

              240 Villa Crest Dr.

             State College, PA  16801

Amount of Rebate
Eligible homeowners receive:

Income	Maximum Rebate
$0 to $8,000	$650
$8,001 to $15,000	$500
$15,001 to $18,000	$300
$18,001 to $35,000	$250

 

Property tax relief is considered a homestead exemption.  As required by Pennsylvania, the maximum allowable amount of tax relief is 50 percent of the median assessed value of homestead properties in the District.

Timeline
Property owners may submit their applications anytime between July 1 and June 30.  Rebates will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until funds are expended.  Eligible rebates will be issued by check. Estimated processing of rebates and mailing of checks is approximately six weeks.

Information about the Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate Program

If you believe you are eligible for the 2022 Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate, use booklet PA-1000 to apply for the rebate.  The deadline to apply for the state program is December 2023. (The deadline to apply for the state rebate has been extended from June 30, 2023.) Rebate checks are normally mailed starting July 1 of each year.  Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available online here or by calling the department’s information line at 1-888-222-9190.

Individuals who may claim the rebate must fall into one of the following categories:

§65 years of age or older

§Widow or widower age 50 or older

§Age 18 or more and permanently disabled

The claimant’s annual household income cannot exceed $35,000.  Legislation in the late 1990’s broadened the rebate program by excluding 50% of Social Security payments and Railroad Retirement benefit payments from the eligible income.

Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate forms and assistance are available at the Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of your telephone directory).