Deadline Nears for Montana Property Tax Rebate Program

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Montana homeowners and small business owners have until October 1 to apply for the state's property tax rebate, which could provide up to $675 in relief. Jason Sleade, communications director for the Montana Department of Revenue, outlined the eligibility requirements, noting that residents must have lived in the state for at least seven months in 2023 and owned a qualifying property during that period. Eligible properties include single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, trailers, manufactured homes, mobile homes, and up to one acre of surrounding land.

The program is designed to provide relief to about 215,000 Montana homes and 3,200 small businesses. However, critics argue that the rebate doesn't adequately address the impacts of recent property tax increases, which are among the largest in the state's history.

Despite the concerns, the rebate program has already distributed over $130 million in 2024, with last year’s total reaching $142 million. According to Sleade, this injection of funds supports local economies, as residents are reinvesting the money into their communities.

Montana residents can apply online or visit one of the Department of Revenue's field offices, especially beneficial for those in rural areas needing assistance.