Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Revenue reminded Montana homeowners and property owners on March 12 that only ten days remain to claim reduced property tax rates before the March 20 deadline.
The reminder is important for eligible residents who wish to benefit from permanent changes in property tax relief. Homeowners and landlords must act soon to secure lower rates for the 2026 tax year.
“Our reforms are delivering permanent and meaningful property tax relief for hardworking Montanans in the place they call home,” Governor Gianforte said. “With just 10 days remaining before the portal closes, I encourage eligible Montanans to take a few minutes to verify your status or apply online in order to benefit from the lower property tax rates.”
To qualify, homeowners must own and live in their Montana home as their principal residence for at least seven months during 2026. Applications require details such as physical address, geocode, and Social Security numbers of all owners. Landlords can also apply if their properties are rented out as residences for periods of at least 28 days over seven months or more within the year, with similar documentation required.
Electronic applications should be submitted by midnight on March 20 at homestead.mt.gov, while paper applications must be postmarked by that date. The Department of Revenue offers assistance through its phone line or local county offices.
Last year, more than 235,000 homeowners received a property tax rebate. Those who claimed rebates in 2025 may be automatically enrolled for the Homestead Rate in 2026 if there was no change in ownership or residence status. According to Governor Gianforte’s November announcement, nearly 80% of homeowners saw a reduction in taxes due to these reforms, with average savings exceeding $500 per household.
