Tax Relief and Assistance for Loss Due to Natural Disaster, Including Fires and Floods
The Department of Revenue expresses sincere sympathy to those Montanans whose homes, lands and other property have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster. Please let us help. If you are a Montana property owner who has experienced a loss of your dwelling, other buildings, or forestland due to a natural disaster, you may be eligible for property tax relief or an income tax filing extension.
We can provide you with necessary information, as well as issue replacement copies of property records, past-year tax returns or other revenue-related information.
There are two types of property tax relief available for taxpayers sustaining property losses due to natural disaster.
The first is handled by completing an Natural Disaster Application (Form AB-25).
Eligible properties Real Property Dwellings All or partially destroyed Real Property Improvements All or partially destroyed Trailers and Mobile Homes All or partially destroyed Personal Property All or partially destroyed
The property must have been rendered unsuitable for its previous use to qualify for property tax relief. The relief is prorated based on the number of days in the tax year that the property was unsuitable for its previous use. The relief is available for the current tax year. Click here for frequently asked questions.
The second is handled by completing a Request for Informal Review (Form AB-26).
County Appraisal office addresses and phone numbers
Eligible properties
Forest lands upon which trees are destroyed so that the lands affected will not meet the minimum stocking requirements.
If the landowner shows that the forest lands have been destroyed to the point that minimum stocking requirements are not met, the Department of Revenue must reduce the value of the forest land by 50% of the original forest productivity value per year. The adjustment will be made for the first 20 tax years following the loss. The first relief will apply to the tax year following the loss, not to the current tax year. Click here for frequently asked questions.
Property owners may also be eligible for a 2008 federal income tax casualty loss deduction on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. The same Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts, is required for both the Montana state return and the federal Form 1040. Additional information is available by visiting the Internal Revenue Service website, and typing "Tax Topic 507" in the search box.
