Montana · Property tax exemptions · Updated Oct 2026

Montana property tax exemptions

Homestead, senior, veteran, disability and surviving-spouse breaks in Montana: what each one is worth, who qualifies, how to apply and the deadline, in plain English.

See the ruleshomestead exemption
Yessenior break
See the rulesdisabled veterans
March 1homestead deadline
0.72%median tax rate

Exemptions by group

Every break for one group on one page, with step-by-step instructions and the tools set for that group.

Seniors

1 break

Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit

Veterans

1 break

Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV)

Surviving spouses

1 break

Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV)

Where to apply in Montana

The Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) values property and runs the homestead reduced rate, PTAP and the disabled veteran program; you apply to DOR online in the TransAction Portal or on paper at your local DOR field office. County treasurers send the bills and collect the tax.

Official exemptions page

Property tax exemptions in Montana

Homestead

Homestead Reduced Tax Rate

From tax year 2026, your home is taxed at lower tiered rates instead of the regular 1.9% residential rate: 0.76% on the first $378,000 of market value, 0.90% on $378,001-$756,000, 1.10% on $756,001-$1,511,999, and 1.90% on value over $1,512,000. The brackets are set at 1, 2 and 4 times the statewide median home value and are recalculated every two years at reappraisal.

Who qualifies
You own the home (as an individual, a couple, or a grantor revocable trust), live in it at least 7 months of the year, and are current on your property taxes. Homes owned by an LLC, corporation, partnership or irrevocable trust do not qualify for the homestead rate.
How to apply
Enroll online through DOR's TransAction Portal (or check whether you are already enrolled), or by mail on the DOR form (postmarked by March 1). The application asks for your Social Security number and the property's geocode, and you declare under penalty of perjury that it is your principal residence. Owners who received the 2024-tax-year rebate (paid in 2025) were enrolled automatically for their main home; other dwellings on the same property must be enrolled separately as long-term rentals.
Deadline
By March 1 for that tax year; applications after March 1 count for the next year (MCA 15-6-405(2)(b)). For tax year 2027, DOR is taking applications May 4, 2026 to March 1, 2027. If you qualified for 2026 but did not get the reduced rate, you can request a 2026 Property Tax Refund from January 1, 2027 until May 31, 2027 (taxes must be paid in full; only 1 year can be claimed, MCA 15-6-407).
Renewal
One-time. Once approved it stays until the end of the tax year in which you sell or transfer the home, stop using it as your principal residence, or apply for a different home (MCA 15-6-405(2)(c)).
Law
MCA 15-6-134(3)(b), 15-6-402, 15-6-405, 15-6-407 (2025 SB 542, Ch. 767, and HB 231, Ch. 674)

Source: official page

Low income

Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP)

Cuts the tax rate on your home (and up to a 1-acre homesite on farm or forest land) by 80%, 50% or 30%, depending on income.

Who qualifies
You own (or are buying under contract) a home, mobile home or manufactured home and live in it as your primary residence at least 7 months a year.
Income limit
Tax year 2027 (2025 federal adjusted gross income): single up to $29,943 (80% cut up to $14,286; 50% up to $19,532; 30% up to $29,943); married or head of household up to $40,131 (80% up to $19,249; 50% up to $29,085; 30% up to $40,131). Spouse's income counts. Updated yearly for inflation.
How to apply
Apply online (Form PTAP in the TransAction Portal) or send the paper Form PTAP to your local DOR field office. New residents include their 2025 federal tax return; people with only Social Security, VA or other nontaxable income include a benefit statement.
Deadline
April 15. Late applications are considered for the following year.
Renewal
You must qualify every year, but your application stays active while you own and live in the home; DOR mails a status letter each year.
Law
MCA 15-6-302, 15-6-305, 15-6-312

Source: official page

Disabled veterans

Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV)

Cuts the tax rate on your home by 100%, 80%, 70% or 50%, depending on income and marital status.

Who qualifies
A veteran with a VA rating of 100% for a service-connected disability, or the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty, died from a service-connected disability, or was rated 100% at death. You own (or are buying) the home and live in it at least 7 months a year.
Income limit
Tax year 2027 (2025 federal adjusted gross income): single up to $64,551 (100% cut up to $49,654); married or head of household up to $74,482 (100% cut up to $59,584); unmarried surviving spouse up to $56,276 (100% cut up to $41,379). Updated yearly for inflation.
How to apply
Apply online (Montana Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief Application) or send the paper MDV form to your local DOR field office. Include the VA letter showing your current 100% service-connected rating (surviving spouses: the VA letter about the deceased veteran).
Deadline
April 15. Late applications are considered for the following year.
Renewal
You must qualify every year, but your application stays active while you own and live in the home; DOR mails a status letter each year.
Law
MCA 15-6-302, 15-6-311, 15-6-312

Source: official page

Seniors

Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit

A refundable state income tax credit of up to $1,150, based on your household income and property tax (or rent).

Who qualifies
Montana residents 62 or older by December 31 who lived in Montana at least 9 months and owned or rented a home in Montana at least 6 months of the year. You can claim it even if you do not have to file an income tax return.
Income limit
Total household income less than $45,000.
How to apply
File free in DOR's TransAction Portal, or file Montana Form 2 with Schedule 2EC.
Deadline
With your Montana income tax return for the year (DOR does not state a separate deadline on this page).
Renewal
Every year.
Law
MCA 15-30-2337 through 15-30-2341

Source: official page

Good to know in Montana

  • Montana's new homestead reduced rate (2026) requires enrollment; if you qualified for 2026 but were not enrolled, you can request a refund from January 1 to May 31, 2027 (Montana DOR).
  • PTAP and MDV applications stay active from year to year, but you must still meet the income rules each year (Montana DOR).
  • Seniors can get the Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit even if they owe no income tax (Montana DOR).

Savings estimate for Montana

Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.

Filled in when the exemption is a fixed dollar amount. You can change it.

Montana median effective rate: 0.72% (taxes paid as a share of home value). Use your own rate if you know it.

Enter a value and a tax rateChoose an exemption or type the value it takes off.

Median effective rate: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25103 (median real estate taxes paid, owner-occupied homes) and B25077 (median value, owner-occupied homes). It is a statewide middle value; local rates differ a lot.

An estimate, not a bill. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Eligibility finder for Montana

Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Leave empty if you'd rather not say.

Everyone in the home, before taxes. Optional: used only to compare with income limits.

Do you own and live in the home?Answer the first question to see results.

A first check, not a decision: only your county, city or town assessor decides. We read ages, ratings and income limits only where the official rule states them plainly; otherwise we show the rule for you to check.

Document checklist for Montana

Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.

The checklist asks for no personal details and nothing is sent to our server: the files are made on your device.

Exemptions to include

Questions about property tax exemptions in Montana

Is there a homestead exemption in Montana?

Yes: the Homestead Reduced Tax Rate. From tax year 2026, your home is taxed at lower tiered rates instead of the regular 1.9% residential rate: 0.76% on the first $378,000 of market value, 0.90% on $378,001-$756,000, 1.10% on $756,001-$1,511,999, and 1.90% on value over $1,512,000. The brackets are set at 1, 2 and 4 times the statewide median home value and are recalculated every two years at reappraisal. Who qualifies: You own the home (as an individual, a couple, or a grantor revocable trust), live in it at least 7 months of the year, and are current on your property taxes. Homes owned by an LLC, corporation, partnership or irrevocable trust do not qualify for the homestead rate.

When is the deadline to apply for the homestead exemption in Montana?

By March 1 for that tax year; applications after March 1 count for the next year (MCA 15-6-405(2)(b)). For tax year 2027, DOR is taking applications May 4, 2026 to March 1, 2027. If you qualified for 2026 but did not get the reduced rate, you can request a 2026 Property Tax Refund from January 1, 2027 until May 31, 2027 (taxes must be paid in full; only 1 year can be claimed, MCA 15-6-407).

Do I have to reapply for the homestead exemption every year in Montana?

One-time. Once approved it stays until the end of the tax year in which you sell or transfer the home, stop using it as your principal residence, or apply for a different home (MCA 15-6-405(2)(c)).

Are there property tax breaks for seniors in Montana?

Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit: A refundable state income tax credit of up to $1,150, based on your household income and property tax (or rent).

Do disabled veterans get a property tax exemption in Montana?

Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV): Cuts the tax rate on your home by 100%, 80%, 70% or 50%, depending on income and marital status.

Where do I apply for property tax exemptions in Montana?

The Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) values property and runs the homestead reduced rate, PTAP and the disabled veteran program; you apply to DOR online in the TransAction Portal or on paper at your local DOR field office. County treasurers send the bills and collect the tax.

Think your home’s assessed value is too high? An exemption and an appeal are separate: you can do both.

Appeal in Montana
Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.

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