Housing (Property Taxes)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 4, 2025

LC 2505: Increase elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit

This bill increases the maximum income tax credit available to elderly homeowners and renters in Montana by adjusting the credit calculation thresholds and amounts. It directly affects seniors who own or rent their primary residences by providing a tax credit that offsets a portion of their property taxes or rent-equivalent costs. The key mechanism involves raising the income threshold at which the credit begins to phase out and increasing the maximum credit amount, while also updating the definition of household income to $14,100 for calculation purposes. The bill includes an inflationary adjustment provision to ensure the credit maximum and phase-out income levels keep pace with economic changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax credits for elderly homeowners and renters, providing tax relief to lower-income seniors and reducing their financial burden.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases tax credits for elderly homeowners and renters, directly supporting affordable housing by reducing housing cost burdens for seniors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Property Taxes Renters

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 22, 2025

LC 1715: Provide property tax rebate on principal residence based on taxes paid

This Montana bill creates a one-time property tax rebate of up to $400 for homeowners who paid property taxes on their principal residence in 2024. The rebate is limited to the actual amount of taxes paid and applies to single-family homes, apartments, and manufactured homes where the taxpayer lived for at least seven months during the year. Eligible homeowners must submit claims between August 15 and October 1, 2025, by mail or online, and the rebate is not subject to Montana income tax. The bill also establishes penalties for false claims and allows appeals if a rebate application is denied.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief to homeowners, reducing their tax burden and offering financial assistance to residents.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax rebate for homeowners, reducing housing costs and supporting affordable housing access75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 1029: Provide a 5 year prepaid property tax exemption during subdivision development

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary property tax exemption for subdivision development, reducing tax burden on developers and promoting housing development through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax incentives to encourage subdivision development, which can increase housing supply and support housing development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 4313: Provide income tax relief for property taxes paid

This bill establishes a new workforce renter's tax credit for Montana residents under 62 with household incomes below $45,000 who pay rent-equivalent property taxes, allowing eligible renters 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 this credit and ensures any excess credit is refunded even if the taxpayer has no state income tax liability. Additionally, the bill increases the residential property tax credit for elderly residents and includes an inflationary adjustment to the income thresholds where these credits begin to phase out. The legislation also schedules periodic reviews of various tax credits, including the new workforce renter's credit, to evaluate their effectiveness and impact on taxpayers every eight years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides income tax relief for property taxes, creating a new tax credit for renters and teachers, which directly supports tax relief and fiscal assistance for lower-income residents.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credit for low-income renters, providing financial relief that supports affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Property Taxes Renters

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signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 924: Generally revise state finance laws

HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief and funds essential programs (disaster resiliency, water, bridges, early childhood) via new trust, directly supporting tax relief and public spending priorities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates half of interest income to housing infrastructure, directly funding development projects per the trust's structure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funds specifically to 'bridge repairs' (transportation infrastructure) as one of five designated programs funded by the trust's interest income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget Property Development Property Taxes Bridges

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 14, 2025

SB 424: Revising the disabled veteran property tax assistance program

SB 424 would have expanded Montana's disabled veteran property tax assistance program to include veterans rated 60% to 90% disabled (previously only 100% or 80%+). It updated tax rate reductions based on income, adding new multipliers for 80-90% disabled veterans (e.g., 70% reduction for $0-$45,803 income) while maintaining existing rates for 100% disabled veterans. The bill directly affected disabled veterans with 60-90% service-connected disabilities (or surviving spouses) who own and occupy their primary residence as a qualifying property. The proposed changes were not enacted, as the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 9, 2025, and the veto override failed on July 14.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans (60-90% disabled) via income-based rate reductions, directly reducing tax burden under Revenue/Taxation subject.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans, reducing housing costs for homeowners through income-based tax rate reductions.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax assistance to 60-90% disabled veterans (previously 80%+), adding income-based tax reductions for this group, directly advancing veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 213: Revise residential and commercial property tax rate

HB 213 proposed to revise the property tax rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties. These properties include most residential homes, rental units, and commercial buildings. The bill would lower the tax rate for most residential properties from 1.35% to 0.76% of their market value. It also adjusted the tax rate calculation for single-family homes valued over $1.5 million and for commercial properties, changing their multiplier from 1.4 to 1.35 times the standard residential rate. If passed, these changes would have applied retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers property tax rates for most residential properties, providing tax relief to middle-income homeowners per bill's explicit rate reduction from 1.35% to 0.76%.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLowers property tax rate for residential properties (1.35% to 0.76%), reducing costs for homeowners and rental units, advancing housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 489: Revise sales tax laws to provide for local option tax

HB 489, titled the "Local Option Property Tax Relief Act," would have allowed consolidated city-counties or counties to implement a local sales tax. This tax, requiring voter approval and capped at 4%, would apply to specific goods and services, excluding items like medical supplies and SNAP-eligible food products. The revenue generated from this local option tax would be specifically used to provide property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rental properties. A portion of the revenue would also be distributed to local governments that do not levy the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates local sales tax (max 4%) to fund property tax relief for primary residences/rentals, directly reducing tax burden on homeowners per summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rentals, reducing housing costs and supporting affordability through targeted tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 839: Provide income tax credit for certain long-time residents

HB 839 proposes a new $500 income tax credit for certain long-time residents of the state. To qualify, a taxpayer must have resided in the state for the prior 10 years, defined as at least 7 months per year, and have an income less than $100,000. This credit is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to other tax years. If enacted, it would apply to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500 income tax credit for lower-income residents ($100k cap), reducing taxable burden for qualifying long-term residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $500 tax credit to long-term low-income residents ($100k income cap), increasing housing affordability for qualifying individuals without direct housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 995: Revise laws related to property tax assistance programs

This bill (LC 995) aimed to revise state laws governing property tax assistance programs, which directly affect homeowners and renters who qualify for tax relief. It proposed updates to eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefit calculations for existing property tax assistance programs. However, the bill was placed on hold and ultimately "Died in Process" on May 23, 2025, meaning it never advanced to a committee vote or floor consideration. As a result, no changes to property tax assistance laws were implemented through this bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax assistance programs to update eligibility and benefits for tax relief, directly supporting lower-income homeowners/renters through enhanced tax relief mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill revises property tax assistance programs to improve eligibility/benefits for homeowners/renters, directly supporting affordable housing access through tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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