Estimate your Montana property tax based on the state's 0.68% average effective rate. Enter your home value for an instant, free calculation.
Enter any tax exemption amount you qualify for in Montana
Montana keeps effective property tax rates among the lower in the nation because a home's taxable value is only a small percentage of its market value. The state has no sales tax, and 2025 reforms added a reduced rate for owner-occupied primary residences.
Montana's Department of Revenue reappraises residential property on a two-year cycle toward current market value, phasing in increases over the cycle. A property's taxable value is only a small percentage of market value, which keeps effective rates low. Rates are expressed in mills; cities, counties, and school districts set most of them, and the state also levies statewide school mills.
| Home Value | Estimated Annual Tax | Monthly (Escrow) |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,700 | $142/mo |
| $370,000 (median) | $2,516 | $210/mo |
| $600,000 | $4,080 | $340/mo |
Effective rates vary within Montana. These figures are median-tax-to-median-value estimates from U.S. Census ACS data (2019–2023 ACS 5-year (SmartAsset)) for some of the most populous counties:
| County | Effective Rate |
|---|---|
| Missoula County | 0.85% |
| Cascade County | 0.84% |
| Yellowstone County | 0.82% |
| Lewis and Clark County | 0.77% |
| Gallatin County | 0.64% |
| Flathead County | 0.54% |
Among these counties, effective rates range from about 0.54% in Flathead County to 0.85% in Missoula County. Your actual rate depends on the local mill/millage set by your county, city, and school district.
Montana historically had no standard homestead exemption, offering periodic rebates instead (up to $675 a year on a principal residence recently). Beginning with the 2025 reappraisal, 2025 legislation (HB 231) added a reduced tax rate on owner-occupied primary residences relative to non-primary and commercial property. Limited-income owners can also get a 30%, 50%, or 80% rate reduction on the first $418,000 of market value through the Property Tax Assistance Program.
The Montana Disabled Veterans program cuts the property tax rate by 50%, 70%, 80%, or 100% (based on income) for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled and their unmarried surviving spouses. Seniors 62 or older with household income under about $45,000 may claim the refundable Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit of up to $1,150.
Real property taxes are paid in two installments: the first due by November 30 and the second by May 31 of the following year. Since November 2024, owners of a primary residence may instead opt into seven monthly installments from November through May. Late payments incur a 2% penalty plus interest.
Request an informal review (Form AB-26) with the Department of Revenue, then appeal to the County Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of the classification-and-appraisal notice (or of the DOR's review decision). County decisions may be appealed to the Montana Tax Appeal Board and then district court.
Montana's statewide effective property tax rate is roughly 0.59%–0.79% of home value depending on the source, among the lower rates in the nation. Rates are low because residential taxable value is only a small fraction of market value.
In two installments — November 30 and May 31 — though since November 2024 homeowners can choose seven monthly payments for a primary residence.
Yes. The Montana Disabled Veterans program cuts the tax rate by 50%–100% for 100%-disabled veterans based on income, and seniors 62+ under about $45,000 in income can claim an Elderly Homeowner Credit up to $1,150.