Supreme Court sides with the state in property tax dispute with counties

The Montana Supreme Court Wednesday ordered counties to collect the full amount of property taxes ordered by the state.

Property appraisals skyrocketed across the state this year. That means higher tax bills for Montana homeowners.

In response, the vast majority of Montana counties said they wouldn’t collect the full tax for public schools.

Both the Montana Association of Counties and the state Department of Revenue petitioned the Supreme Court to rule whether counties could do so. In a unanimous decision, the court sided with the state. Arguing the Department has sole authority to calculate the tax and that counties must collect the full amount.

In a statement, Gov. Gianforte applauded the ruling, saying it brought clarity to the issue. He added that he was committed to bringing long-term property tax reform.

37 counties say they'll limit some property taxes collected for the state

Thirty-seven counties have locked-in their plans to collect less in property taxes than the state has requested, according to Montana Association of Counties director Eric Bryson.

Montana counties sue the state over property tax cap

The Gianforte administration says counties must collect the full tax levied by the state to equalize funding for public schools. But county officials say that tax is subject to a cap the state has ignored.

Democrats call for a special legislative session on rising property values

Senate Democrats are asking Montana’s governor to call a special legislative session to address rising property values. It’s not yet clear if rising home values will lead to a hike in property taxes.