Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 322: Increase business equipment tax exemption

SB 322 increases Montana's tax exemption for business equipment by setting a $500 threshold, meaning equipment costing under $500 would be automatically exempt from taxation. It also requires annual inflation adjustments to the exemption amount and modifies tax code sections to clarify definitions and eligibility. Local governments and tax increment financing districts would receive reimbursements for lost property tax revenue due to these changes. The bill directly affects Montana businesses purchasing equipment under $500 and local governments managing property tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax exemption for small business equipment ($500 threshold), providing tax relief while requiring reimbursements to offset local revenue loss.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 538: Provide income tax deduction for qualified business income

SB 538 would allow Montana taxpayers to claim the same qualified business income deduction they use on their federal tax returns under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code. This directly affects Montana business owners who operate as sole proprietors, S-corps, or partnerships and qualify for the federal deduction. The bill amends Montana's tax code to automatically include this deduction when calculating state taxable income, aligning Montana's rules with the federal provision. It applies retroactively and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was not enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for business owners, reducing state tax burden. Aligns with federal policy, offering tax relief for small businesses under Montana's tax code.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 274: Revising the disabled veteran property tax assistance program

SB 274 expands Montana's disabled veteran property tax assistance program to include veterans rated 60% to 90% disabled (previously limited to 100% disabled), directly affecting eligible veterans and surviving spouses. It revises eligibility definitions in Sections 15-6-301 and 15-6-311, MCA, to clarify qualifying income levels and requires annual adjustments using the PCE inflation factor to maintain benefit value. The bill also specifies that surviving spouses must provide VA documentation showing the veteran was rated 60%+ disabled at death. The changes would apply to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, with the bill taking effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans (60-90% disability), increasing eligibility and adjusting for inflation, directly providing tax assistance to lower-income veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax assistance to 60-90% disabled veterans, revises eligibility, and adds inflation adjustments to maintain benefit value.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 307: Reallocate Montana marijuana tax revenue

SB 307 redirects Montana's marijuana tax revenue to fund prevention programs, law enforcement, and local grants. It creates a new marijuana prevention account to support primary substance misuse prevention and youth suicide prevention programs through community-based services. The bill establishes a marijuana tax revenue accountability council to advise on fund allocation and requires annual impact reports on public health metrics like youth access and hospitalizations. These funds, previously distributed differently, will now specifically target prevention services and law enforcement operations under new reporting rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing marijuana tax revenue to fund prevention programs and accountability measures, advancing fiscal use of tax funds for public health priorities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 90: Redistribute certain state tax revenue to primary residence property tax relief

SB 90 would provide property tax relief to Montana homeowners with primary residences by using lodging and rental car tax revenue. Homeowners would need to apply for certification by March 1, proving they live in the home at least 7 months yearly and that the property value is under $1 million. Counties would apply the credit directly to property tax bills using annual funding based on certified residences, with penalties for false applications. The bill specifies that assistance won’t affect local mill rates and requires Department of Revenue certification of eligible primary residences.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects lodging/rental tax revenue to property tax relief for homeowners, reducing tax burden on primary residences under $1M.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 215: Revise the definition of public school system and requirements of school funding formula

SB 215 revises Montana's public school funding system by redefining the "basic system of free quality public schools" to explicitly include open enrollment, student achievement tracking, and transparency in spending. It requires the legislature to consider specific factors when setting funding - such as student needs (including special education, English learners, and American Indian students), school density, and teacher retention - while mandating that funding follows students across district lines during open enrollment. The bill also directs the funding formula to use current-year enrollment data, include annual cost-of-living adjustments, and clearly show how funds impact student outcomes. These changes apply to all public school districts in Montana, aiming to make funding more equitable and accountable.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates equitable school funding considerations (student needs, teacher retention) and requires funding to follow students, directly advancing public education budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates funding follows students, prioritizes student needs (special ed, English learners, American Indian students), and requires teacher retention consideration - strengthening equitable school funding and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 371: Generally revise agriculture laws - MT made products

SB 371 would create a tax incentive by allowing Montana taxpayers to subtract income from Montana-produced goods from their individual and corporate income tax calculations. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling goods manufactured or grown within Montana, reducing their taxable income for those specific sales. The bill amends Montana's tax code to define "Montana-produced goods" and establish this subtraction as a specific adjustment to federal taxable income. This policy change aims to support local producers by lowering their state tax burden on sales of locally made products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax incentive by allowing subtraction of Montana-produced goods income from taxable income, reducing tax burden for local agriculture businesses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 549: Provide income tax credit for K-12 education expenses

SB 549 would have provided Montana taxpayers with a $1,250 annual income tax credit for eligible K-12 education expenses paid for children in public schools. It directly affected parents, guardians, and teachers of public school students by covering costs like tuition, textbooks, online learning programs, educational therapies, and school supplies. The credit would apply to expenses paid to public schools or specific accredited/non-accredited providers (with disclosure), but could not exceed a taxpayer’s total tax liability. The bill aimed to offset rising education costs for families in Montana’s public education system. (Note: This bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides direct tax relief via $1,250 annual credit for K-12 education expenses, reducing taxable income for middle-income families and aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1,250 annual tax credit for K-12 expenses, reducing family costs and increasing access to education through direct financial support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 434: Provide property tax rebate on principal residence based on taxes paid

SB 434 provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for Montana homeowners who lived in their principal residence for at least 7 months during tax year 2024. It directly affects individual homeowners (not businesses or multiple properties) who paid Montana property taxes on their primary residence, with the rebate amount capped at $400 or the actual taxes paid, whichever is lower. To claim the rebate, homeowners must submit an application electronically (August 15-October 1, 2025) or by mail (postmarked by October 1), including proof of residency and property ownership. The rebate is not subject to Montana income tax, and false claims may result in penalties of 300% of the rebate plus 12% annual interest.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides direct property tax rebate ($400 cap) for primary homeowners, reducing individual tax burden - classic tax relief measure aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 99: Revise unrelated business taxable income to include certain rental and accommodations income

SB 99 amends Montana tax law to treat certain rental and accommodations income earned by tax-exempt organizations as "unrelated business income" subject to taxation. This affects nonprofits and other exempt groups that previously did not pay tax on such income, including short-term rentals or property leasing activities. The bill creates new reporting requirements for these organizations and specifies how to calculate the tax based on Montana’s existing tax rates and sourcing rules. It modifies existing statutes to clarify that this income must now be included in taxable income calculations, rather than remaining exempt. The change applies to income generated from business activities unrelated to the organization’s exempt purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole for nonprofits by taxing previously exempt rental income, increasing state revenue per Montana tax law amendment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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