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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Richland County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Richland County, MT. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
0.8% to 1.2% of market value for residential properties, varies by location and taxing districts within county
1st Due
May 31
2nd Due
Nov 30
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Richland County, Montana serve as a primary funding source for local government services, including schools, roads, emergency services, and county operations. The county follows Montana's statewide property tax framework, with properties assessed at market value and taxed based on classification rates that vary by property type. Effective tax rates in Richland County typically range from approximately 0.8% to 1.2% of market value for residential properties, though this varies significantly based on your specific location within the county.

Montana implemented significant property tax changes for 2025, affecting how taxes are calculated across different property classifications. Your actual tax rate depends on multiple factors including your property's classification, market value, and the specific taxing districts where your property is located. Richland County contains various special taxing districts for schools, fire protection, and other services, meaning two similar properties in different areas of the county may have notably different tax bills. Property owners should verify their specific taxing districts and applicable rates, as these local assessments can significantly impact the total tax burden.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate/Mill LevyDescription
County GeneralVariesBasic county services and operations
School DistrictsVariesK-12 education funding, varies by district
State Education95 millsStatewide education equalization
Fire DistrictsVariesLocal fire protection services where applicable
Special DistrictsVariesRoad districts, weed control, other local services
Total Effective Rate~0.8-1.2%Combined rate of market value (varies by location)

Note: Rates shown are for levy year 2025 and vary significantly by special taxing districts within Richland County. For multifamily rental properties with market value exceeding $2 million, the maximum graduated tax rate is 1.89%. Contact the Richland County Assessor's Office for your specific district's mill levies, as your exact location determines which combination of districts apply to your property.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Richland County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
May 31
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Nov 30
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes in Richland County are triggered by specific events that change a property's taxable status or value during the tax year. The most common triggers include change of ownership, completion of new construction, or removal of property tax exemptions. When these events occur, the county assessor calculates the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, then applies the current tax rate to determine the supplemental tax amount.

For example, if you purchase a home in Richland County that was previously assessed at $250,000 but sells for $350,000, the assessor may reassess the property at the higher market value. The supplemental tax would be calculated on the $100,000 difference in assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. If this occurs in July with 9 months remaining in the tax year and your area's effective tax rate is 1.0%, the supplemental tax would be approximately $750 ($100,000 × 1.0% × 9/12 months). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 60-90 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from regular property tax bills.

Example Calculation

$300,000 Home Example:

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value: $300,000 (residential classification)
  • Less: Homestead Tax Credit: -$500 (if applied for and approved)
  • Net Taxable Value: $299,500
  • Annual Tax (at 1.0% effective rate): $2,995
  • Monthly Payment: $249.58

$600,000 Home Example:

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value: $600,000 (residential classification)
  • Less: Homestead Tax Credit: -$500 (if applied for and approved)
  • Net Taxable Value: $599,500
  • Annual Tax (at 1.0% effective rate): $5,995
  • Monthly Payment: $499.58

$1,000,000 Home Example:

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000 (residential classification)
  • Less: Homestead Tax Credit: -$500 (if applied for and approved)
  • Net Taxable Value: $999,500
  • Annual Tax (at 1.0% effective rate): $9,995
  • Monthly Payment: $832.92

Note: Tax credits require annual application and approval. Actual effective rates vary by specific taxing districts within Richland County. The homestead credit caps assessment increases rather than reducing market value, and eligibility requirements must be met.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Richland County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment, though some lenders may require escrow regardless of down payment amount. Your lender collects approximately 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing these funds into an escrow account. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to Richland County when they become due on April 15th each year.

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected, comparing actual tax bills to their estimates. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender may require additional escrow payments or increase your monthly payment for the following year. Property owners with escrow accounts should verify that their lender has paid taxes on time and maintain communication about any changes in assessed value or applicable tax credits. If you pay taxes independently without escrow, ensure payments reach the Richland County Treasurer's Office by the April 15th deadline to avoid penalties and interest charges.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Richland County for 2025? A: Property taxes for the 2025 levy year are due by April 15, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, electronic payment will be required for amounts of $50,000 or more.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Montana offers several tax credits including the Homestead Tax Credit and disabled veteran credits. Most credits are NOT automatic and require annual application with specific eligibility requirements. Contact the Richland County Assessor's Office for current application forms and deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead Tax Credit work? A: The Homestead Tax Credit primarily caps annual assessment increases (typically to 2% annually) rather than reducing your market value. You must file an application to qualify, and it only applies to your primary residence where you claim the homestead exemption.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Richland County? A: Montana law requires properties to be reassessed at market value annually, though some properties may be reassessed more frequently due to sales, improvements, or other factors affecting value.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. Taxes become delinquent after April 15th, with additional penalties applied for extended delinquency that can eventually result in tax lien sales.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online in Richland County? A: Contact the Richland County Treasurer's Office directly to confirm available online payment options and any associated processing fees for electronic payments.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Your property's location determines which special districts apply (fire protection, school districts, road districts, etc.). Each district adds its own mill levy to your total tax rate, which is why rates vary significantly across different areas of the county.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must typically be filed with the County Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice. Contact the Richland County Assessor's Office for specific appeal procedures and deadlines.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
2025 Tax Information for Montana Property Ownersrevenue.mt.gov
02
County
Annual Property Tax Changes by Countyrevenuefiles.mt.gov
03
County
2025 Median Property Value Changes by Countyrevenue.mt.gov
04
Personal Propertyrevenue.mt.gov
05
Property Assessmentrevenue.mt.gov
06
State
Lien Information - Official Montana Secretary of State Websitesosmt.gov
07
Montanairs.gov
08
Property Assessment Divisionsvc.mt.gov
09
Tax Doc
Property Taxesgov.mt.gov
10
1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 816 HOUSE BILL NO. ...archive.legmt.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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