Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Meagher County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Meagher County

Property taxes in Meagher County are determined through a collaborative process between the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) and local taxing jurisdictions. The DOR is responsible for assessing the market value of all properties in the county on a biennial cycle. Once the market value is established, it is multiplied by a state-legislated tax rate to determine the property's taxable value. Meagher County, along with local school districts and municipal governments, then applies mill levies to this taxable value. A mill represents one-tenth of a cent, meaning one mill generates one dollar of tax for every $1,000 of taxable value. Your final tax bill is the sum of these local mill levies applied to your property's taxable value.

Available Exemptions

While Montana does not offer a standard, universal homestead exemption, several property tax assistance programs are available to Meagher County residents to help reduce their annual tax burden. These programs include:

• Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP): This program helps low-to-moderate-income homeowners by reducing the taxable percentage rate of their primary residence.
• Disabled Veterans Assistance (MDV): Provides a substantial property tax reduction for qualifying disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses, with the discount level based on income and disability rating.
• Elderly Homeowner's Property Tax Credit: A refundable Montana state income tax credit of up to $1,150 for residents age 62 or older who meet specific income guidelines and have lived in Montana for at least nine months of the tax year.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Meagher County property tax bills are typically mailed out in November of each year. Property owners have the option to pay their annual taxes in two equal installments to the Meagher County Treasurer:

• First Installment: Due on or before November 30.
• Second Installment: Due on or before May 31 of the following year.

If either deadline falls on a weekend or a legal holiday, payments are accepted without penalty on the next business day. Delinquent payments are subject to an immediate, one-time 2% penalty, and interest will accrue on the unpaid balance at a rate of 10% per annum until the tax is paid in full.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property's assessed value is incorrect or does not reflect fair market value, you have the right to appeal. You must act quickly upon receiving your biennial Classification and Appraisal Notice from the Montana Department of Revenue. The first step is to file a Form AB-26 (Property Classification and Appraisal Review) with the DOR within 30 days of the date on the notice. If this informal review does not resolve your concerns, you can file a formal appeal with the Meagher County Tax Appeal Board (CTAB). If you are still unsatisfied with the county board's decision, you may appeal further to the Montana Tax Appeal Board (MTAB).