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Proposal would expand elderly homeowner and renter tax credit, adding about 3,300 beneficiaries
Summary
House Bill 831 would increase the elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit (2EC) and raise income eligibility levels to add roughly 3,300 Montanans to the rolls, proponents said, with an average added benefit of about $100 per beneficiary.
Representative George Nicola Kakos presented House Bill 831 as a targeted update to Montana's elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit (the "2EC"). Kakos said the bill increases the maximum credit from $1,150 to $1,400, raises the program's income exclusion from $12,600 to $14,100 and adjusts phase‑out steps to expand eligibility by an estimated 3,300 Montanans while keeping administrative complexity low.
Proponents included the Montana Economic Developers Association and AARP Montana, which argued the change helps lower‑income seniors remain in their homes and supports local economies—particularly in smaller communities with limited senior housing options. AARP and other proponents said roughly 18,000 Montanans would be on the program after the expansion.
The sponsor described an amendment that slightly reduces indexing on the credit amount to limit fiscal exposure and lower the projected fiscal note by an estimated $600,000 (updated fiscal note expected). The sponsor asked the committee for a "do pass" recommendation.
What happens next: The committee closed the hearing and concurred to move HB 831 forward; fiscal note refinement and final appropriation language are likely to be part of any subsequent committee work.
