Your 2026 Gallatin County Property Tax Bill: What’s Different and What to Check

Summary: Gallatin County’s 2026 property tax bills are the first calculated under Montana’s homestead rate, which taxes primary residences and long-term rentals at lower rates than second homes and short-term rentals. Here’s how to check that your bill has the lower rate, when payments are due, what to do if you missed enrollment and where the court challenge stands.

What changed on Gallatin County property tax bills this year?

Montana used to tax most homes at the same rate, no matter who lived in them. Starting this year, that depends on how the home is used. Primary residences and qualifying long-term rentals that are enrolled pay lower, tiered homestead rates, starting at 0.76% on the first $378,000 of value. Second homes, vacation properties and short-term rentals pay a flat 1.9% on the full value. Your rate sets your home’s taxable value, and local mill levies from the county, city and school district still decide the final number on your bill. For the full breakdown of the rate tiers, see our guide to how Montana’s homestead tax rates work.

How do I know if my bill has the homestead rate?

Most homeowners are already enrolled. According to the Governor’s Office, owners who received the 2025 property tax rebate could be enrolled automatically as long as they didn’t move or change ownership in 2025. Everyone else had to apply by March 20, 2026, after the state extended the original March 1 deadline. Even if you think you were enrolled automatically, it’s worth a two-minute check.

• Check your enrollment with the Department of Revenue’s Verify Your Enrollment tool. You’ll need your property’s geocode, which is on your tax bill.
• Look up your bill at itax.gallatin.mt.gov or call the Gallatin County Treasurer at (406) 582-3033.

• Ask about your home’s value or classification at the Department of Revenue’s Bozeman office, 406-582-3400.

When is my Gallatin County tax bill due?

Montana law sets the first half due Nov. 30 or 30 days after your bill is postmarked, whichever is later. Last year, Gallatin County’s first-half due date landed on Dec. 8. The second half is due May 31. Check your payment stub for this year’s exact dates. Gallatin County doesn’t mail a second-half notice, so put the May date on your calendar now.

What if I qualified but missed the deadline?

You can still get money back, but not until next year. If your primary residence wasn’t enrolled, it’s taxed at the flat 1.9% rate for 2026. You can request a refund of the difference through the Department of Revenue’s 2026 Property Tax Refund page from Jan. 1 through May 31, 2027. You’ll need your Social Security number and your property’s geocode.

To qualify, the home must have been your primary residence for at least seven months of 2026, and your 2026 taxes and any past balances must be paid in full. The refund covers the difference between the two rates, not your whole bill.

Timing matters here. The Department can’t process a refund until the county confirms your taxes are paid. If you only pay the first half this fall, your refund won’t be processed until after the second half is due in May. Paying the full year by your first-half due date is the fastest way to get your money back.

If your refund is approved, your home is automatically enrolled for 2027. If you’re not sure you qualify, enroll for 2027 by March 1, 2027. The portal is already open.

Buying or selling a home this winter?

The homestead rate doesn’t transfer with the house. A new owner has to enroll the home in their own name, so the property taxes on a listing reflect the seller’s situation, not necessarily yours. If you bought a home this year that wasn’t enrolled, you’ll pay the 1.9% rate for 2026 even if it’s now your primary residence. If you didn’t live there seven months of 2026, enroll for 2027 by March 1.

Two more things to know before you buy. Homes owned by an LLC, corporation, partnership or irrevocable trust don’t qualify for the homestead rate. And if the property has an ADU or other rental unit, that unit has to be enrolled separately as a long-term rental to get the lower rate. If you’re buying a second home or a short-term rental, expect a higher bill than the seller paid. Ask your agent to walk you through it before you write an offer.

The homestead law is in court

Two lawsuits challenge Senate Bill 542, both filed by Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, Sen. Greg Hertz and former Sen. Keith Regier. The first, filed in January, argues the bill changed too much on its way through the Legislature. The second, filed in October, argues that homes in the same tax class can’t be taxed at different rates.

District Judge Andrew Bruener heard arguments in the first case in Bozeman on Oct. 21. He gave both sides until Nov. 13 to submit proposed orders and said he’ll wait for those before deciding. The second case hasn’t had a hearing yet. The Governor’s Office points to estimates that the changes cut taxes for about 80% of Montana homes.

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