Will Montana’s Property Taxes See A New 2% Cap?

Montana Property Taxes Are Rising Fast

Taxes. We all hate paying them, but we all have to. Lately in Montana, property taxes have been a hot topic because they’ve been climbing so fast.

We did get a bit of relief last year, and now legislators in Helena are trying to do even more.

Senator Wylie Galt’s Property Tax Proposal

Most states rely on three main types of taxes: sales, income, and property.

Montana doesn’t have a sales tax, so our property and income taxes are higher to make up for it. Lately, property taxes have gotten pretty steep, leaving a lot of Montanans feeling squeezed.

State Senator Wylie Galt is trying to change how fast property taxes can rise, with a few exceptions. On Monday, he announced a new initiative that would amend the state constitution to cap local property tax increases at 2% per year.

Not everyone is a fan of Galt.

What’s Next For Property Tax Relief In Montana

Galt, a Republican from Martinsdale, is already being sued by some of his Republican colleagues, including Taxation Committee Chair Greg Hertz, Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, and former state Senator Keith Regier, over his involvement with two property tax bills in 2025.

Even if it moves forward, a few hurdles remain. The proposal will need review by the state legislative services division and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, which could take weeks.

After that, over 60,000 Montana residents must sign by June 19th to get it on the November ballot.

The bottom line is everyone wants property tax relief, but how to get there is up for debate. Hopefully, Montana taxpayers will have a say in the final plan.

Source: Montana Free Press