Senate hearing on SB225 proposes renter tax credit to ease rising housing costs

Senator Morgell, sponsor of Senate Bill 225, told the Montana Senate Taxation Committee the measure aims to give renters relief from rising property-tax-driven housing costs by creating a refundable renter tax credit for lower-income households. "This bill really came from a place where... how do you help people with property taxes in Montana as they continue to rise across the state," Morgell said, asking the committee to consider a modest, time-limited credit that would not duplicate existing homeowner credits.

The bill would limit eligibility to households earning less than $45,000 a year and to individuals under age 62; Morgell described a sliding credit scale in the draft, with illustrative credit rates (for example, 40% for gross household income between $35,000 and $37,500 and 30% for $37,500–$40,000). The sponsor said the fiscal note estimates roughly $13,000,000 in annual cost and that the measure includes a sunset provision to allow the Legislature to evaluate its effects.

Prop…