Posted: | April 9, 2015 02:22 PM |
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From: | Representative Peter Schweyer |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Federal Civil Service Retirees – Property Tax & Rent Rebate Program Eligibility |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to amend the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006 to add those individuals who collect Federal Civil Service retirement benefits to the list of those who can deduct 50% of their income for the purpose of determining eligibility for the Senior Citizens Property Tax and Rent Rebate Assistance Program. This is the companion bill to Senate Bill 503. This matter was brought to my attention by a constituent who is a retired postal worker and, like railroad retirees, is not eligible for Social Security as a Federal Civil Service retiree. If his pension were actually Social Security, he could calculate his income at 50% and he would be eligible for the Property Tax Rent and Rebate Program. However, the constituent is required to calculate his income at 100% and, therefore, is ineligible for the program. A provision to allow railroad retirees to deduct 50% of their income to determine eligibility is already provided for under the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006. My legislation would place Federal Civil Service retirees in the same category. I believe we should provide the same measure of fairness to Federal Civil Service retirees as has been provided to railroad retirees – to ensure they can be eligible for the Property Tax Rent and Rebate Program just like other Pennsylvania seniors. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1162