Housing (Homeownership)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 850: Provide exemption for certain owner-occupied residential property owned by persons 65 or older

This bill creates a property tax exemption for Montana homeowners aged 65 or older who have lived in their primary residence for at least five years. The exemption reduces the tax owed by the difference between the property's current market value and its value in the year the exemption was first approved. To qualify, the home must be a single-family dwelling of up to five acres, and owners must file an application by March 1 of each tax year. The exemption ends if the property is sold or undergoes significant construction or remodeling, though owners may reapply after such changes. The law applies to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief for seniors, reducing tax burden and supporting fiscal relief for lower-income elderly homeowners.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax exemption for seniors, reducing housing costs and protecting affordable housing access for older homeowners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 173: Revise property tax rates for certain property

This bill revises Montana's property tax laws to create lower tax rates for owner-occupied residential properties and long-term rentals, while also adjusting rates for certain commercial properties. It establishes specific eligibility requirements, such as requiring owners to live in a principal residence for at least seven months annually and rent out properties for at least 28 days per month over nine months of the year. The legislation includes an automatic qualification process for 2025 and 2026 for properties that previously received tax rebates, with a transition to a formal application system starting in 2027. Property owners must meet current tax payment requirements and can appeal decisions through a designated process outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill lowers property tax rates for owner-occupied homes and long-term rentals, providing tax relief to homeowners and renters while adjusting commercial rates.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers property taxes for owner-occupied homes and long-term rentals, making housing more affordable and protecting residential property owners.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 836: Provide for a property tax deferral loan program

HB 836 proposed creating a property tax deferral loan program for eligible senior citizens and active-duty military personnel in Montana. This program would allow qualifying homeowners to defer paying the portion of their property taxes that exceeds their 2022 property tax amount. The state's Board of Housing would provide these loans, which would accrue simple interest and become a lien on the primary residence. The loan, including interest, would generally be repaid when the property is sold or transferred, or upon the death of the homeowner, though a surviving spouse might be able to assume the loan.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax deferral for seniors/military, reducing immediate tax burden (tax relief for vulnerable groups), aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefers property taxes for seniors/military to prevent home loss, supporting housing stability for vulnerable groups.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 231: Revise property tax rates for certain property

HB 231 revises property tax laws by establishing reduced tax rates for certain class four residential and commercial properties. It provides a lower tax rate for qualifying owner-occupied principal residences and long-term rental properties, as well as for a portion of commercial property value. For principal residences, some owners will automatically qualify for the reduced rate for tax years 2025 and 2026 based on prior tax rebates or assistance programs. Beginning in tax year 2027, all owners seeking these reduced rates must apply to the department and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrating occupancy for a principal residence or rental periods for long-term rentals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduced property tax rates for qualifying owner-occupied residences provide tax relief, aligning with support for middle-income fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property taxes for owner-occupied residences and long-term rentals, lowering costs and supporting housing affordability for qualifying homeowners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2516: Revise laws related to community reinvestment organizations

This Montana bill (LC 2516) updates rules for community reinvestment programs to expand affordable housing access. It allows community land trust housing to count as "workforce housing" in inventory and limits annual appreciation on deed-restricted homes to 1% (or the standard share, whichever is higher). Community reinvestment organizations must use 95% of funds in their revolving accounts to help eligible households (earning 60-140% of local median income) buy homes, with the remaining 5% for administrative costs. The changes aim to make homeownership more affordable by restricting how much property value can increase over time while ensuring funds directly support low-to-moderate income buyers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands affordable housing access by requiring 95% of funds for households earning 60-140% AMI, limits home appreciation to 1%, and counts land trusts as workforce housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2579: Provide for all ages homeowner and renter tax credit

This bill (LC 2579) expands Montana's residential property tax credit to include all homeowners and renters regardless of age, removing previous age restrictions. It increases the maximum credit amount and revises income thresholds where the credit begins to phase out. The changes apply immediately and retroactively to prior tax years. The bill amends Montana Code Annotated sections related to property tax credits to implement these updates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit to all ages/incomes, increasing relief for homeowners and renters per bill's removal of age restrictions and higher credit amounts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit to all renters/homeowners, removing age limits and increasing credit amounts to boost housing affordability directly.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3245: Increase elderly homeowner/renter tax credit

This bill (LC 3245) proposed increasing the tax credit available to elderly homeowners and renters. It aimed to provide greater financial relief to low-to-moderate income seniors by raising the credit amount they could claim on their state income taxes. The bill was drafted in December 2024 but was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, meaning it never became law. As a result, no policy change was implemented for affected elderly residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for elderly low-to-moderate income residents, providing direct tax relief per bill summary and taxation subject focus.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases tax credit for elderly homeowners/renters, providing direct financial relief to low-to-moderate income seniors to improve housing affordability, aligning with 'increases affordable housing' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1874: Revise shared equity housing program

LC 1874 proposed revisions to the state's shared equity housing program, which assists low-income families in purchasing homes while maintaining affordability through ownership shares. The bill aimed to update program rules but was never enacted, as it died in the legislative process after being placed on hold in December 2024. No specific policy changes were implemented, as the draft was abandoned before reaching a vote. The bill directly affected potential homebuyers in the shared equity program but never became law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aimed to revise shared equity program assisting low-income homebuyers, maintaining affordability through ownership shares. Intent was to strengthen affordable housing access by updating program rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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vetoed · Montana · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 831: Increase elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit

HB 831 increases Montana's elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit to help low-to-moderate-income seniors. It raises the maximum credit from $1,150 to $1,400 and increases the household income threshold for eligibility from $35,000 to $50,000 before the credit phases out. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments to maintain the credit's value and applies retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This directly benefits Montanans aged 65+ who own or rent homes and meet the updated income limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for low-to-moderate-income seniors, expanding eligibility and providing direct tax relief through higher credit amounts and income thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credit for elderly homeowners/renters, expanding affordability for low-to-moderate-income seniors in housing through higher credit amounts and income thresholds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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