Montana Department Of Revenue Announces Improved Property Tax Assistance Programs

Helena - The Montana Department of Revenue wants to let property owners know about a change in state property tax assistance programs to make it easier for taxpayers to apply for reduced property taxes.

Property owners who already benefit from the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) or Montana Disabled Veteran (MDV) program do not have to reapply. If you are a new applicant, you only have to apply once and we will notify you each year whether you still qualify. In the past, property owners had to reapply every year. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2016, to be eligible for a reduction in next year’s property taxes.

“We encourage Montanans to take advantage of property tax assistance and it’s best to fill out our simple application form now while you’re thinking about it,” said Rich Bechtel, Taxpayer Assistance Director, Montana Department of Revenue. “These important programs offset tax costs so that you can spend your money on other necessities for your family such as food, heating, clothing and medicine. And now, once you’re in the program, you don’t need to remember to apply year after year to get the benefit.”

PTAP provides a reduction in property taxes to anyone who meets the qualifications. Taxpayers must own and occupy their home as their primary residence for at least seven months and meet the income requirements, which range up to $21,032 for a single person and up to $28,043 for households. The PTAP benefit applies to the first $200,000 of the market value of your primary residence.

Under MDV, reduced property taxes are available for veterans with 100% disability and the unmarried surviving spouse of veterans who were at 100% disability at the time of death or died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. As in PTAP, you must own and occupy your home as your primary residence for at least seven months. For a single applicant, your income needs to be less than $48,626 and for heads of household and married applicants, your income must be less than $56,107. For an unmarried surviving spouse, your income needs to be less than $42,392.

For more information about qualifications or to download an application form, visit revenue.mt.gov or call toll free 1-866-859-2254, or 444-6900 in Helena.