Montana Residents Can Apply for Up to $400 Property Tax Rebate

Hugh Cameron, Newsweek, 08/18/25

Montana homeowners are now able to apply for a one-time tax rebate of up to $400, as the state rolls out more wide-reaching changes to its property tax laws.

The application period began on Friday, and eligible property owners have until October 1 to apply for a rebate by visiting getmyrebate.mt.gov.

Why It Matters

The rebate is part of a statewide effort by lawmakers to grant financial relief to residents who have faced rising property taxes, which the Montana Budget & Policy Center said has made housing costs "unsustainable for Montana renters and homeowners of all ages." The 2025 legislative session saw the introduction of a number of new tax policies that lower these for primary residences, while increasing rates for high-value properties and out-of-state owners.

What To Know

The rebate is the result of House Bill 231, signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte earlier this year. This and the accompanying Senate Bill 542 phases in major changes to the Montana tax code over the 2025 and 2026 tax years, including the introduction of new tax tiers and a "homestead" rate for qualifying properties and homeowners.

Previously, properties up to $1.5 million were subject to a 1.35 percent tax rate, which rose to 1.89 percent for more valuable homes.

Changes coming into effect largely reduce these for residents with homes under the median value and for principal residences, cutting the rate on properties below $400,000 to 0.76 percent, with gradual increases based on factors such as income and property type.

Welcome to Montana state sign at the state border with Idaho state at Lolo Pass along U.S. Highway 12, November 29, 2012. | AP Photo/NewsBase/AP Photo/NewsBase

To qualify for the $400 rebate on a principal residence, Montana taxpayers must have owned and lived in a property for "at least seven months" and paid property tax on this in 2024, according to the state's Department of Revenue. The rebate cannot exceed $400, regardless of whether residents paid more than this in property taxes last year.

Eligible properties include single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, as well as trailers and mobile homes located in Montana. Renters do not qualify, and the properties must be owned by an individual rather than an entity such as a limited liability company, corporation, or irrevocable trust.

To apply, homeowners will need to submit the address, geocode and property taxes paid last year as shown on their property tax bill, as well as the names and social security numbers of the taxpayer and their spouse. Further details on the application process are available via the Montana Department of Revenue website.

What People Are Saying

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said: "Recognizing the burden of rising property taxes, we worked with the Legislature to deliver permanent and meaningful property tax relief. I encourage all eligible Montana homeowners to visit getmyrebate.mt.gov starting August 15 to claim a rebate before the application period closes on October 1. It's critical that homeowners claim their rebate this year as you may be automatically enrolled into the lower Homestead Rate next year."

What Happens Next

Rebates filed online will be issued within 30 days of the claim being filed, according to the Montana Department of Revenue, while paper claims can take up to 90 days to process.