Rule 42.20.740 - FOREST LAND NATURAL DISASTER PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE(1) Forest land, as defined in 15-44-102, MCA, which is destroyed by fire, disease, insect infestation, or other natural disaster is eligible for a 50 percent reduction in assessed value for 20 tax years beginning the first full tax year following the natural disaster in accordance with 15-44-104, MCA. The affected forest land must have been classified as forest land under 15-6-143, MCA, and had ten percent or greater stocking prior to the natural disaster, and less than ten percent stocking of live trees after the natural disaster.(2) The property owner must submit a Natural Disaster Application (application) located at http://www.mtrevenue.gov. (a) For an application that is submitted in the tax year the natural disaster occurred or during the first full tax year following the natural disaster, and the department approves the reduction, the property owner will receive the 50 percent reduction in assessed value for 20 tax years.(b) For an application that is submitted in any subsequent year after the first full year following the natural disaster, and the department approves the reduction, the property owner will receive the 50 percent reduction for the year the application was submitted and the remaining years of the 20-tax year reduction period.Mont. Admin. r. 42.20.740
NEW, 1993 MAR p. 2970, Eff. 12/10/93; TRANS from ARM 42.20.169and AMD, 2003 MAR p. 1888, Eff. 8/29/03; AMD, 2014 MAR p. 2994, Eff. 12/12/14; AMD, 2017 MAR p. 2198, Eff. 11/25/2017; AMD, 2020 MAR p. 1743, Eff. 9/26/2020; AMD, 2024 MAR p. 2399, Eff. 10/5/2024AUTH: 15-1-201, 15-44-105, MCA; IMP: 15-7-102, 15-44-101, 15-44-102, 15-44-103, 15-44-104, MCA