📨 Montana Property Appraisal Notices Are Out – Here’s What You Need to Know

Montana homeowners, check your mail—2025–2026 property valuation notices from the Department of Revenue have just gone out, and for many, they’re raising eyebrows and questions.

Whether you’re a current resident or planning to make Big Sky Country your home, understanding this notice is key to making smart decisions around your property taxes—and potentially saving money down the road.

🔍 What IS This Appraisal Notice?

This letter is not a bill—it’s a breakdown of your property’s assessed market value as of January 1, 2024. It’s used to calculate your property taxes for the 2025 and 2026 tax years.

The Montana Department of Revenue updates property values every two years to reflect market conditions and changes to your land or home. The value in this letter will be used to determine how much tax you’ll owe starting with bills that come out in October 2025.

📄 Learn more at revenue.mt.gov

📊 How to Read Your Notice Like a Pro

Your notice breaks down a few key pieces:

Term	What It Means
Market Value	This is what the state believes your property would sell for as of January 1, 2024. It’s based on recent comparable sales in your area.
Taxable Value	This is the number the state uses to calculate your property taxes. It’s your market value multiplied by a tax rate specific to your property class (residential, agricultural, commercial, etc.).
Reason for Value Change	If your value increased by 10% or more, this section explains why—such as market appreciation, remodeling, or land use changes.

💥 Why Are So Many Values Going Up?

Montana’s real estate market has seen significant growth in recent years, especially in places like Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispell, and the Bitterroot Valley. Rising home sales mean rising valuations.

Other reasons you may see an increase:

New construction or renovations (garage, addition, outbuildings)
Updated data (previous square footage errors corrected)
Parcel changes or land use reclassification
Stronger real estate demand driving up comparable sale prices

❓Does This Mean My Taxes Are Going Up?

Not necessarily. While your property’s value may have gone up, your actual tax bill also depends on:

Local mill levies, set by your county, school district, and city
State tax rates per property class
Any local bond issues or voter-approved levies that affect your area

Bottom line: higher valuation does not always mean higher taxes, but it can impact what you pay. The official property tax bill won’t arrive until October 2025.

✅ What You Should Do Now

1. Check for Accuracy

Look at your:

Property address and legal description
Total square footage and land acreage
List of improvements (home, garage, shop, etc.)

If anything looks incorrect—especially if you didn’t make any upgrades—it’s worth investigating.

2. Appeal If Needed

If you think your new valuation is too high, you can file a formal appeal by the deadline listed on your notice (usually mid-July). Reasons to appeal include:

Incorrect square footage or building data
Sales comparisons that don’t match your home’s condition
Overvaluation compared to neighboring homes

Start by contacting your local Department of Revenue office or visiting the online Property Assessment Appeal Form.

3. Start Budgeting for 2025 Taxes

Even if you don’t appeal, it’s smart to calculate a rough estimate using:
Taxable Value × Local Mill Rate ÷ 1,000 = Estimated Taxes

Local mill rates will be finalized later this year, so stay tuned for updates from your county treasurer or local government.

🛠 We’re Here to Help – Across Montana

At Ridge Realty, we’ve walked hundreds of Montana homeowners through confusing notices just like this. Whether you’re in Helena, Whitefish, Billings, or small-town Montana, we’re here to:

Explain your property notice in plain English
Compare it to local market data
Help you prepare a strong appeal, if needed
Provide up-to-date tax planning tips for future homebuyers

🏡 Planning to Move to Montana?

If you’re eyeing a move to the Treasure State, understanding property taxes is essential. We’ll help you:

Estimate future property taxes before you buy
Understand how location impacts tax rates
Spot opportunities for exemptions or long-term savings

📞 Let’s Break It Down Together

Have questions about your notice or want to run the numbers on a potential home? Reach out anytime—we’re proud to serve homeowners and future residents across Montana with straight talk and trusted experience.

Ridge Realty Group
📍 Serving All of Montana
🌐 www.ridgerealtymt.com
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