This bill creates a new Montana tax credit for renters under 62 with household income below $45,000 who pay rent-equivalent property taxes, allowing them to claim up to $1,200 or $1,750 depending on their rent-to-income ratio. It also permits qualifying teachers to exclude certain earned income when calculating their eligibility for this credit. The legislation increases the residential property tax credit for elderly taxpayers and adjusts the income thresholds where these credits begin to phase out. Additionally, the bill schedules periodic reviews of various state tax credits starting in 2025 to assess their effectiveness and impact on taxpayers.
This bill creates a temporary property tax exemption for real property undergoing subdivision development in Montana. To qualify, developers must submit an approved exemption application and prepay five years of property taxes before January 1 of the tax year. The exemption lasts up to five years regardless of ownership changes or land splits, but ends when a habitable dwelling is built on a lot or when 95% of the subdivision is complete. The Montana Department of Revenue will manage the program through new rules and amend existing tax assessment procedures to handle these exemptions.
This bill creates a state-funded property tax credit program for homeowners who designate their homes as primary residences. It redirects existing state lodging and rental car tax revenues into a special account, which is then distributed to counties to provide credits directly on property tax bills for certified primary residences. Homeowners must apply for certification by March 1 each year, and the Department of Revenue will verify eligibility while counties administer the credit payments. The program allows recipients to keep any excess credit if it exceeds their property tax bill, and it includes provisions for appeals and penalties for fraudulent applications.
This bill updates Montana's property tax appraisal process for centrally assessed property by clarifying how independent appraisals are selected and paid for. When a property owner and the Department of Revenue agree in writing, they can jointly hire and share the cost of a qualified independent appraiser. If they cannot agree, the Department must select and pay for the appraiser, though it retains the right to modify the appraisal results while providing the original copy to the owner. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026, and apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
This bill amends Montana's property tax code to adjust the tax rate for Class Four residential and commercial properties. It directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners whose real estate falls under this classification. The key change is a revision of the tax rate from 1.35% to 0.76% on market value for most residential properties, with higher rates applied to properties exceeding $1.5 million in value. Commercial property will be taxed at a rate of 1.35% of market value, while golf courses remain taxed at half the commercial rate. The legislation applies immediately upon passage and includes retroactive application to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
This bill changes how property taxes are assessed for lands owned by Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, requiring these lands to be taxed like private property rather than exempt from taxation. The legislation amends existing state laws to ensure that when the department purchases land for conservation or recreation purposes, it becomes subject to standard property assessment procedures used for private citizens. While maintaining existing tax exemptions for other government entities, the bill specifically targets the department's land holdings to align them with general property taxation rules. The changes apply immediately and retroactively to lands already owned by the department.
This bill creates an informal review process for property tax disputes involving Class 4 residential property at the Montana Tax Appeal Board. It allows homeowners to choose a streamlined hearing option that is simpler and faster than the standard formal appeal process. Under this new option, the board's decision would be final and binding without the possibility of further appeal to district court. The bill also clarifies how the board should handle independent appraisals submitted by taxpayers, particularly for residential properties where such appraisals are presumed correct unless the state provides sufficient evidence to the contrary.
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.
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.
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.
