Tax relief and valuation review
A homestead exemption, senior-relief program, or valuation protest can change the amount a homeowner owes—but only if the filing reaches the right local office in the correct window. Use the verified county guidance below as your working checklist, then confirm the current form and deadline with Stillwater County Treasurer / Montana Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division.
Relief programs
The filing guidance for this county is: For tax year 2026, Montana homestead and long-term-rental reduced-rate enrollment closed March 20, 2026. The 2027 application period is May 4, 2026–March 1, 2027; qualifying principal residences require at least seven months of occupancy and current taxes. Use the official form or application channel, provide the residence and ownership documentation requested, and keep a copy of the submission.
Open homestead applicationMontana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit: age 62 or older by December 31, Montana resident at least nine months, owned/rented/leased a Montana home at least six months, and total household income under $45,000; refundable credit up to $1,150. Montana also offers the income-based Property Tax Assistance Program and Disabled Veteran Assistance. Official information: https://revenue.mt.gov/property/property-tax-help/montana-elderly-homeowner-renter-credit.
No county-specific annual assessed-value cap was verified. Montana DOR administers the 2025–2026 reappraisal cycle and local treasurers apply locally adopted mill levies and special assessments. The Montana homestead reduced tax rate is a rate reduction, not a county assessed-value cap.
Appealing an assessment
Use the valuation notice and the county’s published protest guidance to determine the last day to file. Do not assume the payment deadline controls the appeal.
Gather comparable sales, photographs, repair records, appraisal evidence, property characteristics, and any documentation that explains why the assessed value is incorrect.
Submit through the official channel, save the confirmation, and attend the board or review hearing if one is scheduled. An appraiser or attorney can help evaluate evidence when the value or stakes are substantial.
The verified protest guidance for this county is: Submit Montana DOR Form AB-26 within 30 days of the date on the 2025–2026 classification and appraisal notice. If that deadline was missed, the 2026 fallback informal-review deadline was June 1, 2026; formal appeals may proceed to the Montana Tax Appeal Board. Official process: https://revenue.mt.gov/property/appraisal/appeals-and-reviews. If the language is not a specific calendar date, contact the office promptly for the current notice and board-review schedule.