June 15, 2000 -- Because the federal income tax is the biggest and usually the first tax we see listed on our pay stubs, we naturally tend to focus on it.

But state government takes a bite out of our spending money, too. Bankrate will help you stay on top of what your localities are collecting -- income, sales, personal property or investment taxes, or often a combination of all.

Here's a look at some recent tax actions across the nation.

Pennsylvania taxpayers stymied in property tax rebate collection efforts
HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvanians were promised rebates of $100 on last year's property taxes. But cashing in on the one-time tax refund is not as simple as the state led taxpayers to believe.

The hassles are particularly frustrating because taxpayers don't automatically receive the rebate; they must apply for it via phone or the Internet. But those avenues have been road-blocked, say taxpayers, who complain they get continually busy phone lines and experience repeated connection problems with the rebate Web site.

In the wake of the problems, some Pennsylvania lawmakers say the original July 7 application deadline needs to be extended for at least a month, and possibly until the end of the year.

The only alternative for taxpayers is to file a paper application form. But residents can only get the paper forms -- you guessed it -- by calling the state Department of Revenue for a copy or downloading it from the state's Web site.

State treasury officials admit that even if the 2.7 million taxpayers who haven't yet filed electronically do use the paper route, the department isn't equipped to handle it. Plus, processing paper applications will mean that checks probably won't get into taxpayer hands by early November as promised when the rebate was approved.

A bill to extend the rebate application deadline to Aug. 1 is pending in the Pennsylvania House. A Senate measure calling for a Dec. 31 filing deadline is expected to be introduced this week.

Revenue officials say that more than 600,000 applications have been successfully processed: 476,000 over the phone and 138,000 over the Internet. The state plans to double the number of automated application systems in the hopes of getting the application process completed by the original July deadline.

To file an electronic application, taxpayers can call toll-free 1-877-255-1775 or go to the Web site. Additional phone lines also will be installed for rotary phone customers. Rotary dialers should call toll-free 1-877-557-2556.