Who qualifies for the Homestead reduced tax rate in Montana?

You own the home (or are buying it, or put it in a revocable trust) and live in it as your main home at least seven months of the year. A long-term rental lived in at least seven months under leases of 28 days or more also qualifies. Single-family homes, townhomes, condos, a manufactured home plus up to one acre, and a one-acre homesite with living space qualify. Not a dollar exemption. You get the tiered 2026 rate (0.76% on the first $378,000 and so on) instead of a flat 1.90%. If you got the 2025 rebate and still own and live in the home for seven months of 2026, you were enrolled automatically. Deadline: 2026 enrollment closed March 20, 2026. Enrollment for 2027 is open.

Who qualifies for the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) in Montana?

You own the home and live in it at least seven months. Your 2025 federal adjusted gross income (ignoring capital and income losses) is $29,943 or less if single, or $40,131 or less if married or head of household. Your spouse's income counts. Your tax rate is cut by 80%, 50% or 30% on the first $418,000 of market value. Single: 80% at $0 to $14,286, 50% at $14,287 to $19,532, 30% at $19,533 to $29,943. Married or head of household: 80% at $0 to $19,249, 50% at $19,250 to $29,085, 30% at $29,086 to $40,131. The state's table labels these bands 'Tax Year 2027' while citing 2025 income, so confirm with the Department of Revenue. Deadline: April 15.

Who qualifies for the Montana disabled veteran assistance in Montana?

A veteran rated 100% service-connected or paid at the 100% rate, or a qualifying surviving spouse. You own or are buying the home and live in it at least seven months. Income limits apply. Your tax rate is reduced 50%, 70%, 80% or 100%, depending on income and marital status. Deadline: April 15.

Who qualifies for the Elderly homeowner/renter credit in Montana?

You are 62 or older with combined household income under $45,000. Renters qualify as well as owners. A refundable income-tax credit of up to $1,150. It does not take anything off your property tax bill. The Department of Revenue stated this amount on April 14, 2026. Deadline: The income tax filing deadline for the claim year.

Rules by state / Montana

Montana property tax, line by line.

Your county treasurer sends your property tax bill twice a year, in two payments. The state Department of Revenue sets your value. The bill is your taxable value times a rate, plus local special fees.

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At a glance

Who sends the bill: The county treasurer. The Department of Revenue values your property.
When it comes: Usually late October.
When it's due: First half is due at 5:00 p.m. on November 30, or 30 days after the postmark on the notice, whichever is later. Second half is due May 31. A weekend or holiday moves the date to the next business day. For tax year 2026 that is November 30, 2026, and May 31, 2027.
Value is set as of: January 1 of the reappraisal cycle. The 2025-2026 residential cycle is in effect.
Limits on increases: There is no percentage cap on market value. Tax year 2026 class rates apply. An enrolled principal residence or long-term rental is taxed at 0.76% on the first $378,000, 0.90% from $378,001 through $756,000, 1.10% from $756,001 through $1,511,999, and 1.90% at $1,512,000 or more. A property that is not enrolled, including a second home or short-term rental, is taxed at a flat 1.90%.

Bill dates source · Assessment source

What may come off

4 programs homeowners can claim

None of these are applied for you automatically. Each one is free to apply for. If you upload your bill, we check which ones are already on it and which may fit you.

Homestead reduced tax rate

Who: You own the home (or are buying it, or put it in a revocable trust) and live in it as your main home at least seven months of the year. A long-term rental lived in at least seven months under leases of 28 days or more also qualifies. Single-family homes, townhomes, condos, a manufactured home plus up to one acre, and a one-acre homesite with living space qualify.
What you get: Not a dollar exemption. You get the tiered 2026 rate (0.76% on the first $378,000 and so on) instead of a flat 1.90%. If you got the 2025 rebate and still own and live in the home for seven months of 2026, you were enrolled automatically.
How to apply: Enroll at Homestead.mt.gov. Long-term rentals had a window of December 1, 2025, through March 1, 2026.
Deadline: 2026 enrollment closed March 20, 2026. Enrollment for 2027 is open.
If you're late: If you missed the 2026 rate, you are billed at 1.90%. You can ask for a refund of the difference from January 1, 2027, through May 31, 2027, after the 2026 tax is paid in full. The refund does not cover special assessments, fees, penalties or interest.
After that: 2027 needs a new enrollment if your home was not already carried forward. Check your status on Homestead.mt.gov.

The official page

Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP)

Who: You own the home and live in it at least seven months. Your 2025 federal adjusted gross income (ignoring capital and income losses) is $29,943 or less if single, or $40,131 or less if married or head of household. Your spouse's income counts.
What you get: Your tax rate is cut by 80%, 50% or 30% on the first $418,000 of market value. Single: 80% at $0 to $14,286, 50% at $14,287 to $19,532, 30% at $19,533 to $29,943. Married or head of household: 80% at $0 to $19,249, 50% at $19,250 to $29,085, 30% at $29,086 to $40,131. The state's table labels these bands 'Tax Year 2027' while citing 2025 income, so confirm with the Department of Revenue.
How to apply: Fill out the electronic PTAP form, or send a paper form to a Department of Revenue field office. Form: PTAP application.
Deadline: April 15.
If you're late: A late application moves to the next year.

PTAP application: the form

Montana disabled veteran assistance

Who: A veteran rated 100% service-connected or paid at the 100% rate, or a qualifying surviving spouse. You own or are buying the home and live in it at least seven months. Income limits apply.
What you get: Your tax rate is reduced 50%, 70%, 80% or 100%, depending on income and marital status.
How to apply: Apply at a Department of Revenue field office or with the department's MDV application.
Deadline: April 15.
If you're late: Late applications move to the next year.

MDV application: the form

Elderly homeowner/renter credit

Who: You are 62 or older with combined household income under $45,000. Renters qualify as well as owners.
What you get: A refundable income-tax credit of up to $1,150. It does not take anything off your property tax bill. The Department of Revenue stated this amount on April 14, 2026.
How to apply: Claim it on your Montana income tax return, even if you would not otherwise have to file.
Deadline: The income tax filing deadline for the claim year.

The official page

In some situations

If you moved, inherited, built or had a disaster

Disabled first responder program

Who: A disabled first responder who meets ownership, occupancy, disability and income tests.
What you get: A reduction in your tax rate.
How to apply: Contact the Department of Revenue.

The official page

2026 refund for a missed homestead rate

Who: You owned a 2026 principal residence that qualified for the homestead rate but you were not enrolled.
What you get: You get back the difference between the tax you paid and the tax at the homestead rate. It excludes special assessments, fees, penalties and interest.
How to apply: Use the TransAction Portal or apply by mail starting January 1, 2027. You need your Social Security number, geocode and a mailing address.
Deadline: May 31, 2027. It is not processed until the county confirms your 2026 tax and any prior balance are paid in full.

The official page

Land-value assistance for residential property

Who: A residential owner whose land value is disproportionately high and whose family has held the land at least 30 years.
How to apply: Contact the Department of Revenue.

The official page

Think your value is too high?

Asking for a lower appraised value

Free review: Contact the Department of Revenue about the classification and appraisal notice.
Formal appeal: Your County Tax Appeal Board, then the Montana Tax Appeal Board.
Deadline: The deadline is printed on your classification and appraisal notice.
Good to know: Check your notice for the deadline and how to appeal. Keep paying your bill on time while you wait.

A formal appeal reopens your whole value: the board can raise it as well as lower it. Bring recent sales of similar homes.

Source · We never charge for help asking for a lower value.

What can't come off

Charges you can't remove

Special assessments, fees, penalties and interest. The 2026 refund says so expressly.
The 1.90% rate on a second home or short-term rental.
Any value above $418,000 is outside the PTAP rate cut.
The elderly credit does not change your county bill. It is a state income tax credit.
A missed April 15 PTAP or veteran application does not reduce the current bill.

The treasurer's bill adds special fees to the property tax, such as street maintenance, irrigation, police or fire, and other local assessments. The homestead refund and the rate programs do not remove those fees. Rules are statewide, and the county treasurer, not the city, collects. Yellowstone, Missoula, Gallatin, and Lewis and Clark counties all follow the state due dates.

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Rules checked October 28, 2026 against official Montana sources. Rules change: check the deadline with your county before you rely on it. Not legal or tax advice.