Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit (Circuit Breaker)

Montana

2019

Benefit Varies with Income

Minimum Tax Amount Must be Paid

Circuit Breaker

The program provides a refundable credit for qualifying individuals for a portion of their property taxes or rent paid in relation to their income. Property taxes are assumed to be 15% of rent payments. Benefits are determined by 11 thresholds ranging from 0.6% for household income from $2,000 to $2,999, up to 5% for income $12,000 and over. For incomes below $35,000, the entire credit is permitted. For incomes ranging from $35,000 to $44,999, only a certain percentage of the credit is allowed. Incomes over $45,000 receive 0% of the credit. In the case of a claimant who rents the homestead for which a claim is made, the credit is the amount of rent-equivalent tax paid less the deduction (with the same income thresholds above). The maximum credit granted may not exceed $1,000.

Credit to the income tax bill

Residential

Only residential property is eligible for this program. Up to one acre of property can be included.

Age

Homeowner

Income Ceiling

Renter

This program is for homeowners and renters age 62 and older during the claim period for which the benefit is sought. They must have lived in Montana for at least 9 months and at least 6 months as a owner or renter. The claimant must have gross household income less than $45,000 in gross household income. Income is defined as gross household income which is all income received, taxable and nontaxable, by all individuals who live in your household. This includes, but is not limited to, the income of adult children and unrelated individuals living in the residence and includes the following forms of income: pension and annuity income, disability benefits (including SSI payments, veteran's disability and workers' compensation). A person is not disqualified as a claimant if the person changes residences during the claim period, provided that the person occupies one or more dwellings in Montana as an owner, renter, or lessee for at least 6 months during the claim period.

Local government is unable to exercise an option

No local option regarding program features

State reimburses all of the local government tax loss

The state provides a refundable income tax credit.

MT104_RR19