How do I pay my property taxes?

County Treasurer (county level - each of Montana's 56 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Locate your tax bill: Montana property tax statements are mailed by the County Treasurer in the fall (typically October-November)
Review your statement for the correct amount, geocode/property number, and installment due dates
Choose your payment method: in person at the County Treasurer's office, by mail, or online through your county's payment portal
Pay by the semiannual due dates:
FIRST HALF: November 30 (delinquent if not paid by November 30)
SECOND HALF: May 31 of the following year
Retain receipt as proof of payment

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Property tax statement or property geocode number
Payment (cash, check, money order, or card - varies by county)

Online Option

Most Montana counties offer online payment; search "[County Name] County Montana Treasurer property tax payment" or check your county website; Montana Cadastral also links to county treasurer portals

Where to Go

County Treasurer's office (address in your v2 county data for each county)

County-specific variations apply

All 56 Montana counties follow the November 30 / May 31 schedule but payment methods, portals, and office hours vary. Yellowstone County (Billings), Cascade County (Great Falls), Missoula County, Gallatin County (Bozeman), and Lewis & Clark County (Helena) have online payment systems. Most rural Montana counties also offer some online or mail payment. Verify with your specific county treasurer.

Montana Notes

Important state-specific details

Montana has NO STATE SALES TAX - property taxes are a primary revenue source for local governments and schools; Montana's property taxes may be higher as a result relative to states with sales tax.
STATE DOR SETS APPRAISALS; COUNTY TREASURER COLLECTS - this is a key distinction in Montana.
RESIDENTIAL CLASS RATE: The Montana legislature sets the residential property class rate; currently approximately 1.35% of market value (meaning a $300,000 home has a taxable value of ~$4,050 × local mill rates); reduced from higher rates in recent legislative sessions.
MONTANA BIENNIAL REAPPRAISAL: Montana DOR reappraises all property in ODD-NUMBERED YEARS; all property owners receive a Classification and Appraisal Notice in odd years; the 2025 cycle covers tax years 2025-2026.
KEY EXEMPTIONS/PROGRAMS (apply through DOR or county):
Elderly Homeowner and Renter Credit: income-based tax credit for Montanans 62+; file Form 2EZ or Form 2 with state income tax return; significant relief
Disabled Veterans Exemption: 100% disabled veterans may qualify for a property tax assistance program; contact DOR
Property Tax Assistance Program: income-based; reduces taxable value for qualifying homeowners; apply through DOR
Montana Cadastral (svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral): statewide parcel map tool for property information

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Montana DOR (appraisals) - revenue.mt.gov/property | (406) 444-6900; County Treasurer (tax payment - varies by county); Montana Cadastral: svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral