Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. Do I change my mailing address on my taxes?
- A. Click here for the Change of Address Form.
- Q. When is tax bills mailed?
- A. Tax bills are mailed 30 days prior to the 1st half due date. **Legislative changes to tax laws can result in delayed billing during a legislative year**.
- Q. When are my taxes due?
- A. Taxes are due at different times of the year depending on the type of property:
- Q. When does penalty and interest get added to my bill?
- A. The day after taxes are due, penalty and interest are added to the amount due (MCA 15-16-102).
- Q. At which rate is penalty and interest calculated?
- A. Penalty is 2% of the total due and is a one-time charge.
- Q. Can I pay my taxes using a credit card?
- A. Yes. We use a third party service, Official Payment Corp., to process credit card payments. There is an extra fee added for this service. Your can either call them at 1-800-272-9829 or use their website www.officalpayments.com. You will be asked for your tax parcel number, amount of payment, and our jurisdiction code. The Beaverhead County’s jurisdiction code is 3613.
- Q. What happens if I make a double payment?
- A. If we receive double payments for the same parcel, we will post the first payment that comes in our office. When any duplicate payment arrives we will mail it back to whoever sent it (you, your lender, etc.). Our tax system will not allow postings of duplicate payments.
- Q. What happens if I pay on the incorrect parcel number?
- A. Having the proper parcel number is extremely important! Please verify the legal description and parcel number of the property you are paying taxes on. When we receive a payment we will post it to the parcel number indicated on the check or tax stub. If you indicate the incorrect parcel number on your payment, we will not be able to credit you for that. Once the payment is posted it cannot be reversed. You would need to contact the property owner for the parcel you paid in error to make arrangements to be reimbursed.
- Q. Can I make partial payments?
- A. The only “installments” allowed by law are the 1st and 2nd half amounts listed on the bill (MCA-15-16-102). After taxes become a full year delinquent, they must be paid one year at a time- starting with the current year, if all delinquent taxes cannot be paid in full. (MCA-15-16-102 (5)).
- Q. Who is responsible for property taxes?
- A. Delinquent property taxes are a lien against the property. If you have an interest in the property (ownership, possession or control) you will want to make certain the taxes are paid to prevent seizure and sale of the property or the property being deeded to someone else for back taxes.
- Q. How do I get a mobile home moving permit and what is the cost?
- A. You can obtain a mobile home moving permit at the Treasurer’s Office. $5.00 is the fee. Please see our website under Mobile Home Moving for more detailed instructions.
- Q. What do I need to do to get a property plat signed?
- A. You need to go to the Treasurer’s Office and pay all taxes and assessments that have been billed on the parcel, including any city assessments billed. After confirmation that all taxes are paid the deputy at the Treasurer’s Office can sign the plat (MCA-76-3-611).