SB 94 — An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, in senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance, further providing for definitions.

PRINTER'S NO.   49

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 94
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, PENNYCUICK, J. WARD, BAKER, STEFANO
        AND BROWN, JANUARY 22, 2025

     REFERRED TO FINANCE, JANUARY 22, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873,
 2      No.1), entitled "An act providing for taxation by school
 3      districts, for the State funds formula, for tax relief in
 4      first class cities, for school district choice and voter
 5      participation, for other school district options and for a
 6      task force on school cost reduction; making an appropriation;
 7      prohibiting prior authorized taxation; providing for
 8      installment payment of taxes; restricting the power of
 9      certain school districts to levy, assess and collect taxes;
10      and making related repeals," in senior citizens property tax
11      and rent rebate assistance, further providing for
12      definitions.
13      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
14   hereby enacts as follows:
15      Section 1.    The definition of "income" in section 1303 of the
16   act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as
17   the Taxpayer Relief Act, is amended to read:
18   Section 1303.    Definitions.
19      The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
20   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
21   context clearly indicates otherwise:
22      * * *
23      "Income."    All income from whatever source derived,
 1   including, but not limited to:
 2          (1)   Salaries, wages, bonuses, commissions, income from
 3      self-employment, alimony, support money, cash public
 4      assistance and relief.
 5          (2)   The gross amount of any pensions or annuities,
 6      including railroad retirement benefits for calendar years
 7      prior to 1999 and 50% of railroad retirement benefits for
 8      calendar years 1999 and thereafter. For a person who receives
 9      a payment from a qualified plan under the Internal Revenue
10      Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) and
11      deposits all or a portion of the payment in another qualified
12      plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 within 60 days
13      after receipt of the payment, the amount deposited shall be
14      excluded from income.
15          (3)   (i)     All benefits received under the Social Security
16          Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.), except
17          Medicare benefits, for calendar years prior to 1999, and
18          50% of all benefits received under the Social Security
19          Act, except Medicare benefits, for calendar years 1999
20          and thereafter.
21                (ii)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this act
22          to the contrary, persons who, as of December 31, 2012,
23          are eligible for the property tax or rent rebate shall
24          remain eligible if the household income limit is exceeded
25          due solely to a Social Security cost-of-living
26          adjustment.
27                (iii)    Eligibility in the property tax and rent
28          rebate program pursuant to subparagraph (ii) shall expire
29          on December 31, 2016.
30          (4)   All benefits received under State unemployment

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 1      insurance laws.
 2          (5)    All interest received from the Federal or any state
 3      government or any instrumentality or political subdivision
 4      thereof.
 5          (6)    Realized capital gains and rentals.
 6          (7)    Workers' compensation.
 7          (8)    The gross amount of loss of time insurance benefits,
 8      life insurance benefits and proceeds, except the first $5,000
 9      of the total of death benefit payments.
10          (9)    Gifts of cash or property, other than transfers by
11      gift between members of a household, in excess of a total
12      value of $300.
13   The term does not include surplus food or other relief in kind
14   supplied by a governmental agency, property tax or rent rebate,
15   inflation dividend, Federal veterans' disability payments or
16   State veterans' benefits.
17      * * *
18      Section 2.   The amendment of the definition of "income" in
19   section 1303 of the act shall apply to calendar years beginning
20   after December 31, 2026.
21      Section 3.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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