Tartaglione Endorses New Proposal That Would Drop Wage, Sales, Use, Cigarette, Property Taxes for Philadelphians

by | June 24, 2015 | News Releases

 

HARRISBURG, June 24, 2015 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione added her strong and enthusiastic support today to a new proposal that would eliminate school property taxes for millions of homeowners throughout Pennsylvania and significantly reduce many taxes in Philadelphia.

The Senate Democratic Caucus introduced the PA Home Rebate Plan today.

“Philadelphians and taxpayers throughout the commonwealth have been looking for a good tax-reduction plan like someone lost in a desert,” Tartaglione said following this morning’s news conference in the Capitol. “The PA Home Rebate Plan is more than a mirage; it promises to be a wellspring of long-term relief for over-taxed Pennsylvanians everywhere.”

Under PA Home Rebate, property taxpayers would be eligible for a 100 percent rebate of their school property tax bills up to $1,990, while renters would receive rebates of $500 if their income is less than $50,000. The rebates would be available annually.

In Philadelphia, funds will be used for the reduction of a mix of wage, sales and use, cigarette and property taxes.

“Not only does this sound good, the state’s Independent Fiscal Office has verified its positive impact,” the senator said.

The IFO said the total cost of the property tax rebate portion of the program is estimated to be $3.945 billion, and the cost of the rent rebate program will be $400 million.

The PA Home Rebate will be funded by a 0.78 percent increase in the Personal Income Tax, a 0.6 percent increase in the Sales and Use Tax, a $1-per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax, and a 40 percent tax on other tobacco products.

“Most school districts in Pennsylvania use state funds and rely heavily on the property tax to balance their books, but Philly heavily relies on wage and other taxes to pay for basic education,” Sen. Tartaglione said.

“PA Home Rebate includes a balanced distribution for our great city and it gives us the flexibility to reduce property, wage and cigarette taxes to finally deliver relief. “

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Property Tax Relief? Sen. Tartaglione Says Homestead Tax Exemption an Available Option, but Deadline Approaching

by | August 12, 2014 | News Releases

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 12, 2014 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today said time is running out for property owners to shave hundreds from their annual tax bills through Pennsylvania’s Homestead Exemption.

The deadline to apply for the exemption is Sept. 13.

“Applying for a Homestead Tax Exemption could shave more than $400 from an annual bill if the taxable value of a home is reduced by $30,000,” Sen. Tartaglione said.

There are no age or income requirements for the Homestead Exemption, and even people who are tax delinquent can apply.

To apply:

  • Call or visit one of Sen. Tartaglione’s district offices, 1061 Bridge St. (215-533-0440) or 127 Susquehanna Ave. (215-291-4653), Philadelphia.
  • Call the Homestead Hotline, 215-686-9200
  • Visit www.phila.gov/opa
  • Download and mail the paper application from the website

Tartaglione said approved applicants will have the credit applied to their 2015 property tax bill. If property owners have already applied, they do not need to re-apply.

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