Travis Bunn
Founder, AppealDesk · Published March 3, 2026 · Updated August 25, 2026
An exemption lowers your bill only after the assessed value is set. If that value is wrong in the first place, you are paying too much. Nobody checks it unless you do.
Free to check. No account needed.
Updated May 2026
Important upfront: Montana does NOT have a general homestead exemption for property taxes like Texas, Florida, or California. There is no across-the-board property tax reduction available to every homeowner.
The Montana "Homestead Exemption" you may have heard about (under MCA §70-32-201) is a bankruptcy/creditor protection for home equity (currently approximately $378,560 for 2024), not a property tax reduction. For property tax relief, MT offers the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP), the Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV), the Elderly Homeowner/Renter Tax Credit, and recent rebate programs enacted by the 2023 Legislature.
If you've been searching for a single MT "homestead exemption" form to lower your property tax and can't find one, this is why. Montana's property tax relief is income-tested and targeted at low-income homeowners, the elderly, and disabled veterans.
This guide accurately describes what MT actually offers, who qualifies, and how to apply. If you don't qualify for any of them, your strongest path to a lower bill is to appeal an over-assessed value.
A graduated reduction in the taxable value of your primary residence based on household income. PTAP reduces taxes by 30%, 50%, or 80% depending on income tier. The reduction applies to the first $350,000 of market value of the primary residence (the "exempted portion" cap).
You qualify if ALL apply:
Apply with the Montana Department of Revenue using Form PPB-8 (Property Tax Assistance Application) by April 15 of the tax year. Reapplication is required annually because eligibility depends on prior-year income.
A graduated property tax reduction for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the V.A. (or who receive 100% compensation due to individual unemployability), based on household income. Like PTAP, the benefit is a 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% reduction in property taxes on the first $350,000 of market value of the primary residence.
You qualify if ALL apply:
Apply with the Montana Department of Revenue using Form AB-30 (MDV Application) by April 15. Reapplication is required annually.
A state income tax credit (refundable) for income-eligible elderly homeowners and renters. The credit reimburses a portion of the property tax (or rent) paid. Maximum credit is approximately $1,150 (2024 figure; adjusts annually).
You qualify if ALL apply:
Claim on the Montana state income tax return (Form 2 or Form 2EC). The credit is refundable, meaning you can receive it even if you owe no state income tax.
The 2023 Montana Legislature enacted a series of one-time and ongoing property tax rebates in response to the significant 2022-2023 property tax reappraisal. Recent rebate programs have included:
Check mtrevenue.gov for current rebate programs in effect for the current tax year, these have changed each session.
In addition to MDV, Montana offers several narrower exemption variants for disabled service members and surviving spouses. Confirm details with the MT Department of Revenue or your county treasurer.
An exemption lowers your bill only after the assessed value is set. If that value is too high, the exemption is shaving dollars off an inflated number, and you are overpaying on everything above it. Nobody checks the underlying value unless you do.
The value your exemption subtracts from, pulled free in seconds. No account needed.
Most MT property tax relief programs are administered by the Montana Department of Revenue rather than the county. Income tax credits run through the state income tax return.
Most working-age, non-disabled Montana homeowners with income above the program tiers will not qualify for the relief programs above. That's the honest answer. Montana's property tax relief is heavily income-tested.
Your strongest path to a lower bill is to appeal an over-assessed value:
Appeal is available to ALL MT homeowners regardless of age, income, or service status. It's the broadest-access mechanism Montana has for lowering a tax bill that's based on an inflated appraised value.
"Montana has a homestead exemption that saves every homeowner $1,500."
No. Montana has no general property tax homestead exemption. The Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) is income-tested at very low thresholds (under ~$24,000-$32,000 for the smallest 30% reduction). The MDV program is for 100% disabled veterans. The Elderly Tax Credit is income-tested.
"The MT Homestead Exemption protects me from high property taxes."
No. The Montana Homestead Exemption (MCA §70-32-201) is a creditor/bankruptcy protection for home equity (approximately $378,560 for 2024). It does not reduce your property tax bill.
"PTAP is automatic."
No. You must affirmatively file Form PPB-8 with the Montana Department of Revenue, and you must reapply annually. PTAP is not auto-renewed because eligibility depends on prior-year income.
"The 2023 rebates apply forever."
No. The 2023 Legislature's rebates included one-time and limited-duration provisions. Each subsequent legislative session can change, extend, or end the rebates. Verify the current program at mtrevenue.gov.
This page was rewritten in May 2026 after our prior version inaccurately described MT as having a general homestead exemption available to every homeowner with flat $1,500 savings. Montana's actual property tax relief is income-tested and targeted at low-income homeowners (PTAP), disabled veterans (MDV), the elderly (Elderly Tax Credit), and through periodic legislative rebate programs. We apologize for any confusion the prior version caused. If anything here is unclear or inaccurate, email us at hello@appealdesk.com and we'll fix it.
Most Montana homeowners stack the exemption on top of whatever value the assessor assigned and never question the value itself. It came from a mass-appraisal model, not an individual review of your home. It is worth checking once.
Enter your address to pull your county record free. If it looks too high, your $49 packet gives you everything to challenge it.