Calculate your property tax for MT. Enter your home value, apply exemptions, and see your estimated annual tax.
Montana's effective property tax rates are moderate, commonly 0.8% to 1.0% of market value, and the system is centralized: the Department of Revenue values property and applies a class ratio (residential is assessed at a low percentage of market value). Local governments set the mill rates. Relief includes a Property Tax Assistance Program for older Montanans and a veterans' exemption. This guide explains the calculation and relief; the calculator below estimates your bill.
Montana values property at market value, then applies a classification ratio — residential real property is assessed at roughly 7.15% of market value (commercial and other classes at higher ratios) — to reach the taxable value; your tax is the taxable value times the combined rate (mills per $1,000) of the county, city, school district, and special districts. Because the residential ratio is low, the effective rate on market value stays moderate.
Montana's Property Tax Assistance Program is a circuit breaker that reduces the tax for owners 62+ (and for certain disabled persons) with household income under a limit (about $30,000–$40,000 recently) whose tax exceeds a set percentage of income. It is claimed through the Department of Revenue and scales with burden — the main ongoing relief for lower-income older Montanans.
Montana grants a disabled veterans' exemption (a full exemption of the home's taxable value for a 100% service-connected-disabled veteran, with partial relief for lower ratings) and exemptions for surviving spouses. There is also an exemption for the blind. These are claimed with the Department of Revenue and are the largest reliefs for eligible owners.
Montana's centralized assessment by the state means values are set uniformly rather than by each county, which reduces local variation in how value is measured (though rates still vary locally). There is no Prop 13-style cap; values are updated to market through reappraisal. The low residential class ratio is the main cushion.
Montana uses classification ratios (residential about 7.15% of market) rather than a growth cap. There is no statewide assessment cap; values are kept at market through periodic reappraisal and rates are set locally. The low residential ratio is the structural reason homeowner effective rates are moderate.
The figures below draw on our county datasets where available; rates differ by jurisdiction, so use your specific locality's rate in the calculator.
Montana rates vary by county and by city, school, and special districts; enter your combined rate in the calculator below.
Montana taxes are typically paid in two installments (commonly November and May) on the local mill rate, with penalty and interest on late payment and a tax lien sale after sustained delinquency. The Property Tax Assistance Program is claimed through the Department of Revenue; the veterans' exemption with the Department. Because assessment is centralized, values are uniform across the state.
To lower your Montana bill: (1) apply for the Property Tax Assistance Program (circuit breaker) if 62+/disabled with income under the limit; (2) claim the disabled-veterans' exemption (full for 100%); (3) grieve by the notice deadline using comparable sales; (4) verify the residential class ratio (~7.15%) was applied; (5) follow local mill-rate votes. The assistance program is the main relief for lower-income older Montanans.
In practice, a Montana bill is the market value (100%) times the combined county/city/school rate, minus the senior/disabled exemption and the veterans' exemption. Montana has no property tax on intangibles and taxes agricultural land by productivity. The taxpayer centric reforms have modernized assessment. Read the assessment notice (commonly by the local board deadline) and grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower.
If you are buying in Montana, obtain the assessment and confirm any senior/disabled or veterans' exemption. Montana values at 100% of market; compare combined rates across counties. Grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower. Check whether the property is agricultural (taxed by productivity) versus residential. The main due-diligence is the appeal window and verifying your exemptions are active.
To appeal in Montana, file by the local board of equalization deadline. (1) Compare the market value to recent sales. (2) File with the board. (3) Appeal to the Montana Tax Appeal Board if needed. (4) Verify any senior/disabled or veterans' exemption. Assessment is at 100% of market.
Montana's debate focuses on assessment uniformity and exemptions (senior/disabled, veterans), plus periodic discussions of how to tax natural-resource and reverue. Because Montana has no property tax on intangibles and taxes agriculture by productivity, reform often touches classification. Watch the Legislature's tax committee for exemption changes.
100% market value — Montana values at full market. Senior/disabled exemption — a set-dollar removal. Veterans' exemption — a set-dollar removal. Tax Appeal Board — the state appeal body. Productivity value — how agricultural land is taxed.
Two $350,000 homes at 100% assessment with a 1.0% effective rate. Homeowner A owes about $3,500. Homeowner B, a 65-year-old, claims the senior/disabled exemption, removing a set amount and potentially cutting the net toward $2,800–$3,100. The example shows assessment at 100% means the rate is close to the effective rate.
Montana homeowners with a mortgage pay via escrow; the lender remits the installments. Assessment at 100% means the escrow tracks the rate. If you claim a senior/disabled or veterans' exemption, tell the lender. Buyers should obtain the assessment and compare county rates; the escrow estimate should use the specific county, not a state average.
Montana's centralized assessment means values are set by the state, so your best lever is verifying the residential class ratio (about 7.15%) was applied to your home and not a higher commercial ratio. If you are 62+ or disabled with income under the limit, apply for the Property Tax Assistance Program through the Department of Revenue — it is a refund-style relief many owners miss. A 100% service-connected-disabled veteran should file the full exemption. Because there is no assessment cap, watch reappraisal notices and protest within the window if the market value looks high; comparable sales in your neighborhood are the evidence. Finally, local mill rates drive the bill, so follow city and school-district budget votes. Montana's low residential ratio already keeps bills moderate; the assistance program is the main extra help for lower-income older Montanans.
How is Montana property assessed? At market value, then multiplied by a class ratio (residential about 7.15%) to reach taxable value; the rate is applied to that.
What is Montana's Property Tax Assistance Program? A circuit-breaker reduction for owners 62+/disabled with income under a limit whose tax exceeds a set share of income, claimed via the Dept. of Revenue.
Is there a veterans' exemption in Montana? Yes. A disabled veterans' exemption (full for 100% service-connected), plus surviving-spouse and blindness exemptions.
Does Montana have an assessment cap? No statewide cap; values are kept at market through reappraisal under class ratios.
How do I appeal my Montana assessment? Protest with the Department of Revenue by the notice deadline, then to the Montana Tax Appeal Board.
Enter your home value, select your state, and see your estimated annual property tax.