The upcoming legislative session will see a surge of proposals aimed at addressing the recent spike in property taxes. With Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s property tax task force finalizing its recommendations, legislative Democrats have put forward their own plans, and the governor’s challenger in the upcoming election has also presented a proposal.
Over the past two years, Montanans have experienced a significant increase in the appraised value of their homes, resulting in a corresponding rise in property taxes, averaging a 21% jump statewide.
This increase has led to widespread discontent in Montana, prompting calls for solutions from lawmakers in the upcoming session starting in January. There has been a fair amount of blame-shifting, with Gianforte attributing the issue to local county budgets, while commissioners argue that they are constrained by state limitations on levies. Minority Democrats argue that majority Republicans have failed to enact meaningful legislation, and Ryan Busse, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, holds Republicans responsible for not passing a bill to adjust the taxation rates of different property classes.
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At the final meeting of his property tax task force on Thursday, Gianforte expressed clear support for one of the proposals put forth by the group – a homestead and “comstead” exemption aimed at lowering tax rates for primary residences, long-term rentals, and smaller commercial properties. However, this would result in an increase in taxes for non-primary residences, short-term rentals, and larger commercial properties. The meeting coincided with the opening day for Montana homeowners to apply for property tax rebates funded from a surplus from the last legislative session.
