House Bill 231 seeks to revise property tax laws in Montana by implementing a graduated tax rate structure for class four residential properties and adjusting tax rates for commercial properties. The bill replaces the existing flat tax rate of 1.35% with a tiered system: 0.76% for the first $400,000 of market value, 1.1% for values between $400,000 and $1.5 million, and 2.2% for values exceeding $1.5 million. Additionally, it establishes a maximum tax rate of 1.89% for multifamily dwelling units valued over $2 million and sets a tax rate of 1.4% for the first $400,000 of commercial and industrial property value, with a rate of 1.89% for values above that threshold. The bill also introduces a property tax rebate for taxpayers who owned and occupied a principal residence during tax year 2024, allowing for a rebate of up to $400 or the total property taxes paid, whichever is less.

Furthermore, the bill addresses local government mill levies, allowing local governments with fixed mill levy limits to maintain their revenue without raising taxes on residential properties. It includes appropriations of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and $3.5 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to implement the changes. The act is set to apply retroactively to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, with certain sections applicable to later tax years. The bill also outlines eligibility and application requirements for reduced tax rates, penalties for false claims, and a reimbursement mechanism for taxing entities experiencing revenue loss due to tax rate reductions.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(12): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(13): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(14): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(15): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(16): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(17): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(18): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_1: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(12): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_2: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_3: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_4: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(10): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(11): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(12): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(13): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(14): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(15): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(16): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(17): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(6): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(7): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(8): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5(9): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_5: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_6(1): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_6(2): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_6(3): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_6(4): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_6(5): 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_6: 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125
HB0231_X(1): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(10): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(11): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(12): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(13): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(14): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(15): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(16): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(17): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(18): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(19): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(2): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(20): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(21): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(22): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(23): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(24): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(25): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(3): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(4): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(5): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(6): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(7): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(8): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X(9): 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120
HB0231_X: 15-1-121, 15-6-134, 15-7-102, 15-15-101, 15-15-102, 15-15-103, 15-16-101, 15-17-125, 15-30-2120