Montana Offers Tax Relief for Disaster Damage

Montana tax officials say property owners with damage to their homes or forestlands from recent natural disasters can apply for property tax relief.

The Montana Department of Revenue says property owners could qualify if their home or outbuildings are partially or totally destroyed by wildfire. Businesses whose equipment is destroyed also may qualify.

Forestland owners whose standing timber has been destroyed will receive a reduction in the assessed value for 20 years beginning with the 2014 tax year.

Almost 800 fires have been tallied in Montana so far in 2013, with more than 65 square miles burned.

The state’s natural disaster property tax relief also covers properties damaged by flood or wind, which could include recent flooding in Bannack or the tornado near Poplar.