Common Property Tax Questions
The state Department of Revenue (DOR), not Missoula County or the City, calculates residential property appraisals every two years and sends out notices to property owners across the state. Local governments are not involved in this process.
If you this your assessment or valuation is now correct, please contact the Missoula DOR office.
You can view your property record card, which shows the characteristics, buildings and other details online. File an appeal as soon as you receive your notice; do not wait until you get your tax bill in the fall, because by then it’s too late. There are two ways to file an appeal:
- By submitting a Request for Informal Classification and Appraisal Review (Form AB-26) to DOR online at mtab.mt.gov/appealform.
- By appealing directly to the local County Tax Appeal Board. In Missoula County, you can fill out that application online at mtab.mt.gov/appealform.
While you may write a check to Missoula County for your taxes, there are many taxing jurisdictions on your bill. Depending on where you live, you could have city taxes, countywide taxes and special districts like fire or water treatment. A detailed explanation of county funds is listed online.
Click here to see contact information for school, water, fire and other special districts.
Real property taxes are due on or before the last day in November and May each year (if that day falls on a weekend or holiday, than the due date is the next business day), unless you have applied for and received certain forms of taxpayer assistance through the Montana Department of Revenue.
You have the options of making the payment online, in person at the Treasurer's Office, or by mail. If paying by mail the payment must be postmarked on or before the due date. If payment is not posted in the Treasurer's Office or postmarked on or before the due date you will be assessed penalty and interest per MCA 15-16-102.
Please note: Real property tax assessment notices will not be forwarded by the Post Office. It is your responsibility to notify the Montana Department of Revenue if you want to change the address to where your assessment is mailed. Notice must be received sufficiently in advance of when the statements are prepared and mailed.
Late October/Early November: Real property tax bills are mailed to property owners. Both the first and second half amounts due are included on one invoice. A separate invoice is not mailed for second half property taxes.
Last business day in November: First half real property tax bills due unless you participate in the Property Tax Assistance Program.
Last business day in May: Second half real property tax bills due unless you participate in a Property Tax Assistance Program. The second half amount due is included on the October/November invoice. A separate invoice is not mailed for second half property taxes.
Taxes are delinquent after the date and time listed on your October/November tax bill. Delinquent taxes incur a 2% penalty and interest at a 10% annualized rate.
Late June/Early July: Delinquent tax notices are mailed to property owners.
First business day in August: Tax liens are attached. Delinquent real estate property taxes are a lien on real property. A $75 tax lien certificate fee is charged to the property. A taxpayer has two to three years from the date the tax lien was attached to pay the delinquent taxes or risk losing the real property.
Late August: Third party investors may purchase outstanding tax liens and take an assignment on the property. Missoula County assigns multiple requests for the same tax lien according to a priority policy. Before investing in tax liens, please hire an attorney.
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