Not Enrolled in Montana’s New Property Tax Program? Here’s What To Do Before March 1

Montana’s new 2026 property tax law is now in effect — and enrollment is required to qualify for the reduced homestead or long-term rental rate.

If you’re not enrolled — or you’re unsure — you’ll want to verify your status before the March 1, 2026 deadline.

Missing it could result in your property being taxed at double your current rate!

Who Needs to Enroll?

You must enroll if your property is:

✔ Your primary residence (lived in 7+ months per year)
✔ A long-term rental (28+ day leases for at least 7 months annually)

You may have been automatically enrolled if you received the 2025 property tax rebate and did not move — but verification is strongly recommended.

How to Check or Enroll (3 Simple Steps)

1️⃣ Look Up Your Property

Visit Montana Cadastral or your county assessor’s website.
Search your parcel and locate your property classification and geocode.

Go to:
👉  CLICK HERE - MONTANA CADASTRAL

2️⃣ Visit the Official Montana Homestead Portal

Go to:
👉 CLICK HERE - MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

There you can:
✔ Verify enrollment using your geocode
✔ Enroll online
✔ Download paper forms

3️⃣ Confirm Your Classification

After enrolling, review your next tax notice to ensure:
✔ Proper homestead or long-term rental classification
✔ No default to non-qualified status

What Happens If You Don’t Enroll?

If you miss the March 1 deadline:

• Your property may automatically default to the higher rate
• You could owe significantly more in taxes for 2026 and beyond
• Corrections may require appeals & documentation, loss of reduced rate for 2026 with delay until 2027 to update property enrollment.

If you have plans of selling your home after the March 1 deadline and haven’t enrolled it may adversely affect a buyer’s ability to qualify for the loan with the increased tax burden.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you’re unsure about your classification or just want to talk it through, our team is happy to point you in the right direction.

We’re committed to keeping every Montana homeowner informed — not just during a transaction, but long after closing.

👉  Click HERE to Schedule Your Property Tax Enrollment Review