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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 26, 2015 10:03 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Stephen McCarter |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | School Tax Effort Rebate Program |
| In the near future, I am planning to introduce legislation to provide for “school tax effort rebates” for the citizens of this Commonwealth. Both homeowners and renters would be eligible for these rebates under this program. This is the bill version of Amendment A01396 to House Bill 283, introduced by Representative Hennessey. As local school taxes have increased in recent years in many school districts, taxpayers across this Commonwealth have been faced with repeatedly having to bear this burden. With this in mind, we should be continuing to seek effective ways to provide much-needed tax relief. This legislation takes a fair and reasonable approach in providing taxpayers with such relief. Under this bill, taxpayers would be able to file a claim for a rebate on their school taxes. To provide for fairness, the rebate would be the product of the individual’s combined school tax effort, and the applicable rebate percentage, which is determined by household income. Those with an annual household income of $20,000 or less would be eligible for a 75% rebate of real property and other taxes or rent and local taxes. Individuals with an annual income of $100,000 or more would be eligible for a 10% rebate. The School Tax Effort Rebate Fund would be established in the State Treasury, from which reimbursements on claims filed would be paid to the individual claimant. The Department of Revenue would receive the claims and determine the eligibility of individuals who file for a rebate. Claimants would be required to provide reasonable proof when filing a claim. Also included in this bill are provisions to address any fraudulent claims that may be filed, as well as the opportunity to petition the department for a redetermination of the claim when the person filing for the rebate believes that an error has been made if it has been denied or corrected by the department. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. |