Montana’s state constitution recognizes what our nation’s founding fathers saw to be a fundamental right, that is, the right to acquire, possess, and protect property (Article 2, Section 3). This principle is not abstract. It goes to the heart of whether Montanans truly own what they have worked, paid for, and invested in, or whether that ownership remains conditional on the state’s approval year after year.
Taxing a home or any other kind of property based on assessed or market value is a constantly moving target and could change yearly. A prime example of this is the steep rise in housing prices in Montana in the last four years. Many Montanans who were once able to make ends meet with the property tax rate collected on their home before 2021 can barely do so now. Montana is facing a crisis of affordability, and taxing property is causing more harm than good. This concern has been raised repeatedly by Montana policy leaders and housing advocates during recent debates over property taxes, particularly because of the disproportionate impact on low-income and fixed-income homeowners.
Retired Montanans should be able to continue to live in the homes that they have invested in for so long, with the fixed income they have worked for. Skyrocketing home prices, which homeowners did not choose and cannot control, will eventually force many out if they cannot keep up with the tax burden tied to those valuations. When the cost of remaining in one’s own home rises simply because the market has changed, ownership begins to look less like a right and more like a conditional privilege.
Montanans who have invested in their property for decades should be able to own and use their property as they see fit, especially when they have paid for it in full. This right is essential not only for those who own their property now, but for their children and their children’s children. Montanans understand that when someone truly owns their property, they take care of and develop it not only to improve their own lives, but to provide an inheritance for their children that will last for generations to come.
Owning property is more than merely possessing an asset. It is purchasing a portion of Montana and stating, “I want to take responsibility for this land and make it into something beautiful and lasting, something that my descendants will take pride in owning and managing.” If property can be taxed every year simply for being owned, then ownership itself becomes conditional. When the state places a recurring tax on property, it risks turning a lifetime owner into a lifetime renter, with the government acting as a landlord that can raise the rent at any time.
Comments
One response to “Property Taxes Turn Montana Owners Into Renters”
Mr. Thiessen,
You have made a good start in drawing attention to this matter and I encourage you to continue. However, I have one important point to make about your argument. The appropriate section of the MT Constitution is seen here.
“Section 3. Inalienable rights. All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life’s basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways. In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.”
Yes, Montanans have the constitutionally guaranteed right to acquire, possess, and protect property, but this right is superseded by the last line in the section: In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.
This is a problem. Basically, it means that even citizens who own property (real estate) are required to submit to the “corresponding responsibilities”, which can and do include any and all taxes imposed on said property, regardless of the amount, millage, or rate. As I read it, as long as the current wording is written into the constitution, there are literally no limits to the tax which can be demanded on any property throughout the entire state of Montana
Recognition of corresponding responsibility means that property owners understand that they WILL pay property taxes. This is not a “tax or no tax” issue. That has already been settled and the taxing authorities have won. Rather, it is one in which they can set any amount they wish and if property owners cannot pay the bill, then their property WILL be seized and it will be transferred to someone else.
Can’t pay the bill? Tough. Move along. This is the implicit message codified in the constitution.
There is only one way to resolve this issue–remove the power of the State (government) to tax property (any form of property, not just real estate) in any way, shape, or form. Otherwise, the parade will go on.