Property Tax Appraisals Are Hitting Montana Families Hard

Property tax reappraisals are arriving in Montanans’ mailboxes this week and the news is not good. The Montana Department of Revenue is expecting average property tax reappraisals to jump a whopping 43%.

Republicans in the legislature killed Democratic proposals to provide permanent property tax relief, which would ensure that Montana homeowners and renters receive a refund when their property taxes rise above an affordable percentage of their income. It would provide permanent relief as Montana faces soaring home prices as well as ensure critical Montana services like the police and fire departments, public schools, and road maintenance are adequately funded.

Republicans also killed a Democratic effort to expand their one-time payment to include Montana renters, who will be covering the cost of the soaring reappraisals with their monthly rent, and who were explicitly left out of the Republican plan.

If you’re comfortable sharing, send a quick note directly to hadley@montanademocrats.org with what type of increase you’re seeing from your property reappraisal letter.