Helena, Montana – Greg Gianforte is urging Montana homeowners to take action before the March 1 deadline to apply for the 2026 Homestead Reduced Rate, a key part of the state’s effort to deliver lasting property tax relief. The program applies to primary residences and qualifying long-term rental properties and is intended to ease the burden of rising property taxes.
“Recognizing the burden of rising property taxes, we worked with the Legislature to deliver permanent and meaningful property tax relief,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Thanks to our reforms, 80% of Montana homeowners saw lower property taxes last year. While those who claimed a property tax rebate are already enrolled for the lower rate this year, homeowners can verify their status or claim the lower rate by visiting Homestead.MT.gov.”
How the homestead rate works
Property taxes in Montana are largely determined at the local level. About 80 percent of residential property tax revenue supports local government services, while the remaining 20 percent goes to the state and is returned to help fund K-12 public schools.
Homeowners became eligible to apply for the Homestead Reduced Rate for the 2026 tax year beginning December 1, 2025. To qualify, applicants must confirm they will own and live in their Montana home as their principal residence for at least seven months in 2026. Applicants must provide the property’s physical address, geocode, and the names and Social Security numbers of property owners.
The Homestead Rate was established under House Bill 231, sponsored by Rep. Llew Jones, and takes effect this year. The new rate lowers property taxes for primary residences and long-term rentals.
Homeowners who received the 2025 property tax rebate are automatically eligible for the reduced rate in 2026 if ownership and residency remain unchanged.
Relief also available for long-term rentals
The application period is also open for the Long-Term Rental Reduced Rate. To qualify, properties must be rented for at least 28 days at a time and occupied for at least seven months of the year. Applicants must provide property details, owner information, and rental income and expense records.
State officials estimate the reforms will deliver meaningful savings. In November, the governor announced that nearly 80 percent of homes would see a tax cut, while about 10 percent would see taxes remain unchanged. The average savings for homeowners receiving a tax cut exceeded $500, not including the property tax rebate of up to $400 available last year.
Senate Bill 542, sponsored by Sen. Wylie Galt, created new tiered tax rates designed to provide relief for homeowners, small businesses, farms, and ranches, and also authorized rebates for primary residences. More than 235,000 Montana homeowners claimed the rebate for taxes paid in 2024.
Homeowners who received the rebate in 2025 may already be automatically enrolled in the Homestead Rate for 2026, provided ownership did not change.
Montanans can verify enrollment status or apply for the Homestead Reduced Rate and Long-Term Rental Reduced Rate by visiting homestead.mt.gov. Officials encourage eligible residents to review their status before the March 1 deadline to ensure they receive the reduced rate.
