Montana Code Annotated 2019

TITLE 15. TAXATION

CHAPTER 6. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Part 2. Tax-Exempt Property

Exemption -- Abandoned Housetrailer, Manufactured Home, Or Mobile Home

15-6-242. Exemption -- abandoned housetrailer, manufactured home, or mobile home. (1) There is a property tax exemption for movable housing that is uninhabitated because it is no longer fit for human habitation. To be eligible for the exemption, an applicant must meet the requirements of this section. This section does not apply to movable housing that receives an abatement for a natural disaster as provided in 15-16-611.

(2) If the movable housing has a productive use other than human habitation, the department shall assess a value to the property based on the productive use.

(3) (a) A claim for an exemption must be filed by March 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is sought on an application form provided by the department. An applicant that does not apply for an exemption during the first year of the valuation cycle may apply during the second year of the cycle.

(b) The exemption application form must contain an affirmation that the movable housing satisfies the provisions of this section and any other information required by the department that is relevant to the applicant's eligibility.

(c) When providing information to the department for qualification under this section, an applicant is subject to the false swearing penalties established in 45-7-202.

(d) The department shall investigate the information provided in an application and any information provided by a third party or local government. A local government may assist an owner of movable housing to submit an application for an exemption.

(4) After an exemption is approved, the applicant remains eligible for the exemption as long as the property continues to satisfy the provisions of this section.

(5) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Movable housing" means a housetrailer, manufactured home, or mobile home that is not treated as an improvement to real property as defined in 15-1-101.

(b) "Productive use" means used for livestock or storage of personal property.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 230, L. 2019.