The Property Tax Almanac
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Montana · Property Tax

Montana Property Tax by County

Montana has counties operating under a fundamentally restructured property tax system — HB 231 + SB 542 of 2025 created graduated Class 4 homestead rates effective TY2026. Primary residences (enrolled at Homestead.MT.gov) receive 0.76%-1.90% graduated rates; second homes / short-term rentals pay flat 1.90%. Statewide effective rates run ~0.78% median for homesteads — among the lowest in the US (top 15). Montana has NO state sales tax (one of only 5 such states).

Why move here

  • NEW 2026 Homestead Reduced Rate (HB 231 of 2025) — graduated 0.76% on first $395,400, scaling to 1.90% above $1.58M
  • NO state sales tax (one of 5 such states: AK, DE, NH, OR, MT)
  • Disabled American Veteran Property Tax Assistance Program (MT Code §15-6-211, full reduction at low income — joins categorical full-vet-exemption states)
  • Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) + Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit (Form 2EC, refundable up to $1,150 for 62+)
  • Glacier National Park (3M annual visitors, US 9th most-visited)
  • Yellowstone National Park (West Yellowstone gateway in Gallatin County)
  • Big Sky country — Bozeman + Missoula + Whitefish
  • Montana State University (Bozeman) + University of Montana (Missoula)
  • fastest population growth in northern Rockies
  • fly fishing + outdoor recreation capital

Why not move here

  • 2023 reappraisal cycle increased median residential value 22% in one cycle (driving 2025 reform)
  • second homes / short-term rentals taxed at flat 1.90% non-homestead rate (significantly higher)
  • Bozeman + Whitefish + Big Sky home prices among highest in US per capita income ratio
  • harsh winters in eastern + northern Montana
  • state income tax (5.65% top rate for 2026, dropping to 5.4% for 2027)
  • limited big-city amenities (no city above 125K population)
  • distance from major US metros
  • wildfire smoke impact in summer months

This almanac covers 10 of 56 Montana counties.

Average effective rate
0.75%
Tax bill ÷ market value · Across 10 covered Montana counties
National rank
#34 of 50
Ranked highest to lowest by rate · #17 from the lowest
Average annual bill
$3,457
On a typical $469,000 Montana home
State income tax
5.65%
Graduated · 4.70% – 5.65% top marginal
Cheapest county we cover
Cascade
Great Falls · 0.62% effective rate
For retirees
Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) income-tested AV reduction for primary residence (income limits ~$26,500 single / ~$35,000 joint for 2024) + Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit (Form 2EC) refundable WV state income tax credit up to $1,150 for 62+ with HHI under ~$45,000 + 2026 Homestead Reduced Rate (HB 231 of 2025) graduated rates 0.76%-1.90% based on home value tier
For disabled veterans
Full exemption
Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Property Tax Assistance Program (MT Code §15-6-211): tiered 50%-100% reduction in taxable value for 100% disabled veterans — tied to income · Single income ≤ $50,166: 100% reduction (full exemption) · Single income $50,167-$60,000: 80% reduction · Single income $60,001-$70,000: 70% reduction · Single income $70,001-$80,000: 50% reduction · Joint income limits ~20% higher · Surviving spouse may continue
10 of 56 Montana counties covered

About this site's data and estimates. The Property Tax Almanac is an independent editorial reference. It is not affiliated with any government agency, tax assessor, or tax preparation service. The calculators and data on this site are informational and are not a substitute for advice from a qualified tax professional, attorney, or your official county assessor or appraisal district.

Accuracy, sources, and scope. Tax rate data is compiled from publicly available sources — including the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Florida Department of Revenue, the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, the Arizona Department of Revenue, the North Carolina Department of Revenue, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the Michigan Department of Treasury, the Iowa Department of Revenue and Iowa Department of Management, the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the California State Board of Equalization, individual county appraisal and assessor offices, and the US Census Bureau — and is believed to be accurate as of the "revised" date shown on each page. Rates change annually (and sometimes mid-year) through local budget adoptions, legislative action, and voter-approved measures. Rates displayed reflect the primary tax district of the county seat; rates in other cities, school districts, Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), Emergency Services Districts (ESDs), Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts (CFDs), and special taxing units within the same county may be meaningfully higher or lower. Census population figures are from the 2020 Decennial Census and are rounded to the nearest 100.

How to use these estimates. The calculator produces a rough estimate based on the county seat's combined rate, statutory deductions and exemptions available statewide, and the value you enter. Your actual bill depends on your specific parcel's assessed or appraised value, the exact taxing entities covering your address, any local-option exemptions you qualify for, any assessment caps or circuit-breaker protections (e.g., Florida's Save Our Homes, Arizona's Prop 117 LPV cap, Indiana's 1% circuit breaker, North Carolina's Elderly/Disabled Exclusion, Wisconsin's Lottery & Gaming Credit, Michigan's Proposal A 5%/IRM cap, Iowa's residential rollback, Minnesota's Homestead Market Value Exclusion, California's Proposition 13 acquisition-value system and 2% annual cap), and any appeal or protest outcomes. For an authoritative figure, consult your county appraisal district (Texas), county assessor (Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Arizona, North Carolina, Iowa, Minnesota, California), county property appraiser (Florida), or municipal/township assessor (Wisconsin and Michigan — assessments are set at the city/village/township level rather than the county level; some Iowa and Minnesota cities also have city-level assessors). The contact information for the primary authority in each county is listed at the top of that county's page.

No legal or tax advice; no warranty. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, tax, financial, investment, or real estate advice. The Property Tax Almanac, its authors, and its publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the content on this site. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage — including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage — arising from the use of this site or from decisions made based on its content.

Found an error? Property tax rules are complex and change often. If you spot an inaccuracy, please contact us — corrections help every reader who comes after you.

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