Following a usual practice in past years, the state Department of Revenue has again extended the deadline for residents to apply for the state's property tax/rent rebate program until Dec. 31.
The program is significant in that it provides rebates of up to $500 on property taxes or rent paid during 2002 for residents who meet the eligibility requirements.
As of July 1, the department started mailing checks to more than 245,000 people who already had applied. But in a recent announcement, Gregory C. Fajt, the department's secretary, noted that the department has traditionally extended the deadline from June 30 until the end of the year to make sure those who are eligible have ample time to apply.
The program is designed to benefit eligible residents who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities.
But to be eligible, a person's household income cannot exceed $15,000, excluding one-half of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.
Those interested in filing a claim can find claim forms (PA-1000) online through the department's Internet site at www.revenue.state.pa.us.
Forms and assistance also are available at the department's district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices.
The department also reminded claimants to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly.
FSC Marketing Communications, a full-service marketing and communications firm, has completed a relocation to its new offices at the 11 Stanwix St. Building (the former Westinghouse Building) in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The company, which had been based for 50 years at the Gateway Center office complex, most recently occupied two wings on the fourth floor of the Gateway Center One building. It was originally known as the Albert P. Hill Co. and later became Flaherty Sabol Carroll Marketing Communications.
FSC principals Ed Flaherty and Rege Sabol said earlier this year that the planned relocation to larger, newly-renovated was the first step in the agency's plan to reconfigure its working environment and upgrade technology to accommodate recent growth.
Pool City, a specialty pool and patio chain, recently opened its eighth location in the Pittsburgh region, an outlet at the Murrysview Shoppes shopping complex in Monroeville.
The store, which employs about 15 people, is located in the space formerly occupied by Franks Nursery, according to Zamagias Properties, the Pittsburgh-based management and development company that owns Murrysview Shoppes. The complex is located on Route 22 near the border with Murrysville.
Cranberry Cat Clinic, a cat veterinarian business, recently established its first location in Cranberry Township, Butler County.
The tenant signed a lease for 1,100 square feet of space on the first floor of the two-story 20456 Route 19 building, according to Carol Cavanaugh, a commercial real estate broker with Allegheny Commercial Real Estate Services, who represented both the landlord and the tenant in the deal.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Inc. is offering free career seminars in July at the following office locations:
In the North: On Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m., at the North Hills office.; Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Route 8 office; July 24, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Butler office; July 31, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cranberry office.
In the South: On Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Peters Township, Route 19/Galleria, South Hills and West Mifflin offices; Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Upper St. Clair office.
In the East: On July 17, 7 to 9 p.m. at East Regional offices, and 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Huntingdon office.
In the West: On Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Airport/West Regional office; July 15, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Beaver County office.
In Pittsburgh: July 22, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Shadyside office; July 31, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Squirrel Hill, July 31 office.
Those interested in further information or registration may call Ed Carney, Coldwell Banker recruiting director, at (412) 366-9928, Ext. 305.
