Budget & Taxes

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 189: Freeze property values for 2 years

This bill freezes Montana property tax values for 2025 and 2026 at the 2024 level for all taxable property. It directly affects property owners by preventing annual reassessment increases during those years, unless the Department of Revenue determines a property's value has decreased since 2024. The bill mandates using the 2024 value for tax calculations in 2025 and 2026, with the exception of properties showing a lower value in 2025. It applies retroactively to 2025 taxes and terminates after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property tax values to prevent annual increases, providing direct tax relief for property owners and stabilizing local revenue without increasing burdens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 7: Provide income based tax credit

This bill establishes a new income-based tax credit for Montana individual taxpayers with low-to-moderate income. It provides a credit equal to 4.7% of taxable income, but phases out completely when income exceeds specific thresholds ($2,000 for joint filers, $1,500 for heads of household, and $1,000 for other individual filers). The credit reduces tax liability but is unavailable for dependents, trusts, or taxpayers exceeding the phaseout income levels. The bill also requires the credit to be reviewed every eight years as part of Montana's broader tax credit review process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing liability for low-to-moderate income earners, aligning with tax relief support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 4316: Provide property tax rebate for entity that did not receive past rebates

This bill allows property-owning entities (such as corporations or trusts) that previously missed out on Montana property tax rebates to claim refunds for 2022 and 2023 taxes. It amends existing law to make eligible properties owned by entities that did not receive rebates under prior rules, with rebates capped at $500 per year. Claimants must submit applications electronically or by mail by October 1, 2025, providing proof of ownership and residency. The bill extends the funding deadline for these rebates from 2025 to 2026 and specifies that only one rebate per tax year will be issued.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax rebates for eligible property owners, directly impacting property tax policy and extending refund eligibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 1737: Provide for class of property for manufacturing for property tax purposes

This bill creates a new property tax class (class nineteen) specifically for manufacturing properties in Montana. It defines qualifying manufacturing property as land and improvements used for transforming materials into new products or assembling components (excluding construction), and sets a lower tax rate of 1.47% on this class - significantly below standard rates. The law applies to property tax years starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting manufacturers whose property meets the defined criteria. It clarifies tax treatment for parcels with mixed uses by basing classification on the largest share of improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates lower tax rate (1.47%) for manufacturing property, providing targeted tax relief under state property taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 348: Provide property tax relief funded with lodging tax revenue

This bill redirects 60.2% of lodging tax revenue (from hotels, rentals, etc.) to fund property tax assistance for Montana primary residence owners. It amends existing tax distribution rules to allocate these funds specifically through the Department of Commerce for property tax relief programs. The measure directly affects homeowners who qualify for this assistance, using existing lodging tax revenue instead of new taxes. Other portions of the lodging tax fund tourism, historical preservation, and state parks, but this bill's core change is the dedicated property tax support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lodging tax revenue to fund property tax relief for homeowners, providing direct tax relief without new taxes or budget increases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Revenue

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 4355: Provide income tax credit for payment processing fees directed to a charitable organization

This Montana bill (LC 4355) creates an income tax credit for businesses that direct payment processing fees (like credit card processing costs) to charitable organizations. The credit equals the amount of those fees directed to charities and can be applied against either individual or corporate income tax. Any unused credit can be carried forward for up to two years. The bill defines "charitable organization" as one qualifying under federal tax law and clarifies that this credit does not replace existing charitable deduction options.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for businesses directing payment processing fees to charities, providing tax relief and encouraging charitable giving, supporting tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 1228: Revising property appraisal to use an average value

This bill changes how Montana property taxes are calculated by requiring appraisers to use a 10-year average of market values (excluding the highest and lowest years) instead of a single-year value. It directly affects all property taxpayers, including homeowners and businesses, as it alters the baseline for determining taxable property value. The key provision amends Montana law to establish this averaging method for most taxable property, aiming to create more stable and predictable annual tax assessments. This change applies broadly, with specific exceptions for agricultural equipment, condominiums, and commercial properties as outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill stabilizes property tax calculations via 10-year average, promoting predictable fiscal management and reducing annual volatility for taxpayers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 4444: Revise lodging tax allocation related to property tax relief

This bill redirects 60.2% of Montana's lodging tax revenue to fund property tax assistance for primary residences. It amends existing law to allocate these funds through the Department of Commerce under Section 90-1-122, directly benefiting Montana homeowners by reducing their property tax burden. The legislation revises how lodging tax proceeds are distributed, ensuring the majority of these funds support property tax relief rather than other designated uses like tourism or historical preservation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 60.2% of lodging tax revenue to fund property tax relief for primary residences, directly reducing homeowners' tax burden through budget reallocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 1863: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

This bill (LC 1863) provides a temporary property tax exemption during construction for new senior care and housing development projects. It applies specifically to nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) developing facilities for seniors 62+ or 55+ per federal housing rules. Local governments must approve each project via public hearing to confirm community need before the exemption begins. The tax break ends once construction is complete or if the facility is sold to a for-profit entity.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides temporary property tax exemption for nonprofits, reducing local government revenue during construction.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior care facilities, enabling development of healthcare infrastructure for elderly residents per federal housing rules.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior housing development, directly encouraging affordable housing construction under federal rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 4310: Provide property tax rebates for principal residences

Montana's House Bill 4310 provides a property tax rebate of up to $330 for homeowners who lived in their primary residence for at least 7 months during tax year 2024 and paid property taxes on it. The rebate is limited to the actual taxes paid but capped at $330, and homeowners must apply by October 1, 2025, with proof of residency, property ownership, and personal identification details. The bill amends Montana law to establish this rebate, including provisions for estates and revocable trusts to claim it on behalf of qualifying individuals. It directly affects Montana homeowners with a primary residence meeting the occupancy and tax payment requirements for 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax rebate ($330 cap) for primary residence homeowners, offering direct tax relief per bill's explicit language and Taxation--Property subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track