The Mitchell Building, housing the Montana Department of Administration and Revenue in Helena on Thursday, Jan. 26. Credit: Samuel Wilson / Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Montana homeowners have through this coming Monday, Oct. 2, to apply for rebates on their 2022 property taxes being offered through the Montana Department of Revenue, closing an application period that has been open since mid-August.

According to the department, claims made electronically through its website must be filed by 11:59 p.m., Monday. Claims made with hardcopy forms must be postmarked by Oct. 2.

The rebates, as much as $675, were authorized by the Legislature this year as it sought to spend a major budget surplus and ward off angst over rising tax bills. Homeowners who owned, lived in and paid property taxes for their residence for at least seven months in 2022 are generally eligible.

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Property taxes, explained — with pictures

Property values have risen dramatically in Montana, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you (or your landlord) will pay higher property taxes. If you want to know why, read our property tax explainer — with pictures.

Many Montana property owners saw dramatic increases in their property values in this year’s reappraisal, with the median residential property increasing in value by 46% over the two-year cycle. While the department’s reappraisal notices indicated property tax bills would rise proportionately, most tax experts — the department’s director included — have since said those estimates likely overstate how much most property tax owners will pay.

Official tax bills, which will factor in local government tax rates that generally scale down with higher property values, will be mailed by county treasurers in October. 

The Legislature also authorized separate rebates on income taxes paid in 2021. Those rebates, of up to $1,250 for individual taxpayers or $2,500 for married couples, were paid out without an application this summer.

More information on the income tax rebates is available on the Montana Department of Revenue’s website. You can also call the department with questions at 406-444-6900.

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Eric Dietrich is a deputy editor at Montana Free Press, where he contributes to reporting and data visualizations and oversees award-winning digital interactive projects, including Capitol Trackers and Election Guides. Eric previously worked for the Great Falls Tribune, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, and Solutions Journalism Network. He was the founding president of the Capitol Press Association and currently serves on the professional advisory board for the MSU Exponent. He holds a civil engineering degree from Montana State University. Contact Eric at [email protected].