Budget & Taxes (Property Tax)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 6, 2024

LC 95: Provide deadline to file for property tax relief from a disaster

This bill establishes a two-year deadline for property owners in Montana to file claims for property tax relief after their property is damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster. It directly affects taxpayers whose homes, trailers, mobile homes, or personal property have been rendered unusable by events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, or wind. The key provision requires owners to submit their claims within two years of the destruction date, ensuring that tax adjustments are processed within a defined timeframe. The bill also clarifies that arson convictions disqualify property owners from receiving tax relief, and it mandates notification if destroyed personal property is replaced within the same tax year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for disaster victims, reducing tax burden on affected taxpayers and supporting fiscal relief for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 22: Provide disclosure of certain corporate property tax settlements

This bill requires the Montana Department of Revenue to publicly disclose settlement agreements related to property tax disputes involving industrial and centrally assessed property on its website. The law mandates that when the department reaches a settlement with a property owner, it must make the agreement and the original proposed valuation available to the public online. This provision applies specifically to settlements concerning industrial property and centrally assessed property, ensuring transparency in how tax disputes are resolved. The bill also clarifies that these agreements are final and binding unless fraud or misrepresentation is proven, while establishing timelines for dispute resolution processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases government transparency by requiring public disclosure of property tax settlements, promoting fiscal accountability and reducing potential tax loopholes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 2233: Allow a county to employ a property appraiser for property tax purposes

This bill allows Montana counties to hire their own property appraisers with approval from the state Department of Revenue, giving local governments more flexibility in how they assess property values for tax purposes. The legislation requires county appraisers to be state-certified and mandates that their valuations be used when certifying taxable property values. Additionally, the bill clarifies that both state and county appraisers may enter private land to conduct property inspections, provided they follow specific notice procedures that inform landowners of their right to be present during the appraisal process. If landowners refuse access, appraisers may estimate property values based on exterior inspections, and tax appeal boards cannot adjust these estimates unless the landowner provides their own certified appraisal or grants permission for entry.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens local government fiscal management by allowing counties to hire their own property appraisers, improving tax assessment accuracy and giving local governments more flexibility in property tax administration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 906: Provide property tax rebates for principal residences

HB 906 amends existing Montana property tax rebate laws to provide financial relief to homeowners by increasing rebate amounts for principal residences occupied in 2022 and 2023. The bill allows eligible taxpayers who owned and lived in their homes for at least seven months during those years to receive up to $319 for 2022 and $330 for 2023, or the full amount of taxes paid if it is less than those limits. Property owners must submit claims electronically or by mail between August 15 and October 1 each year, and the state will mail notices to potential claimants by June 30 of the following year. The legislation also clarifies definitions for principal residences and outlines procedures for handling claims from deceased taxpayers or those in revocable trusts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax rebates for homeowners, offering financial relief and reducing tax burden on residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 903: Provide for class of property for manufacturing for property tax purposes

This bill creates a new property tax classification for manufacturing facilities in Montana, affecting land and improvements used to transform materials into new products or assemble components for non-construction purposes. The legislation establishes that manufacturing property will be taxed at 1.47% of its market value, with specific rules for determining classification when a parcel contains mixed uses. The changes apply to property tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and would impact businesses operating manufacturing operations in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax classification for manufacturing facilities, potentially reducing tax burden on manufacturing sector and promoting economic development through targeted tax policy.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 89: Provide deadline to file for property tax relief from a disaster

HB 89 amends Montana's property tax law to require taxpayers to file claims for disaster-related property tax relief within 2 years of a natural disaster destroying their property. This directly affects Montana homeowners and property owners who suffer damage from events like fires, floods, or earthquakes (including fires regardless of origin, unless arson is convicted). The key provision establishes a clear deadline for filing claims, replacing the previous lack of time limit, and clarifies how tax adjustments are calculated based on the days property existed before and after the disaster. The bill takes immediate effect upon the Governor's signature, which occurred on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables timely access to existing property tax relief for disaster victims, facilitating tax benefits without altering rates or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2366: Increase property tax rates on forest lands

This bill increases property tax rates for forest lands classified as "class ten property" in Montana. It changes the tax rate from 0.27% in 2024 to 0.37% for all tax years after 2024, applying to landowners with forest properties meeting specific size and ownership criteria under Montana law. The rate change takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. This directly affects owners of qualifying forest lands, increasing their annual property tax burden based on forest productivity value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax revenue for state budget by raising rates from 0.27% to 0.37% on qualifying forest lands.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2271: Automatically revise tax rates for agricultural, residential, commercial, and forest property

This bill automatically adjusts tax rates for Montana property owners classified as agricultural (Class 3), residential/commercial (Class 4), and forest (Class 10). It replaces fixed tax percentages (like 2.16% for agricultural land) with rates calculated annually by the Department of Revenue during the second year of each reappraisal cycle. These department-calculated "taxable value neutral tax rates" automatically apply to the next reappraisal cycle, eliminating the need for legislative action each time. The change directly affects property owners paying taxes on eligible agricultural, residential, commercial, or forest land as defined in Montana law. The bill amends Sections 15-6-133, 15-6-134, and 15-6-143 of the Montana Code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAutomates tax rate adjustments to maintain fiscal neutrality, promoting responsible tax management without legislative intervention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1224: Provide for a homestead exemption for dwelling used as a primary residence

Bill LC 1224 proposed a homestead exemption for primary residences, meaning homeowners using their dwelling as a main home would have been protected from certain property tax liabilities or creditor claims against their primary residence. The exemption would have directly affected individual homeowners who live in their property as their primary address, potentially shielding a portion of their home's value from financial pressures. However, the bill was placed on hold in December 2024 and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 24, 2025, without becoming law. As a result, no changes to existing homestead exemption rules were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for primary residences through homestead exemption, directly aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income homeowners.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingHomestead exemption reduces property tax burden for primary homeowners, supporting housing affordability and property rights as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1171: Optional alternative property tax payment schedule for primary residences

This bill proposed allowing homeowners to pay property taxes on their primary residences in installments rather than as a single annual payment. It would have directly affected residential property owners who currently pay taxes in one lump sum. The key provision would have created an optional payment plan, potentially easing cash flow for some homeowners. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage and was officially terminated ("Draft Died in Process") on May 24, 2025, meaning it did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes property tax installment payments for primary residences, providing tax relief and easing cash flow for homeowners - aligns with middle-income tax relief indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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