Montana Department of Revenue

Department of Revenue Warns of Tax Scams

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Department of Revenue Warns of Tax Scams

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The Montana Department of Revenue warns all residents to be aware of numerous scams and frauds related to their tax information and potential refunds.

“Most Montanans are honest and trust others to be honest too, but unfortunately criminals around the world target our taxpayers and their personal information,” said Gene Walborn, director of the Montana Department of Revenue. “A little bit of caution and awareness can go a long way to protecting your information and making sure no one can abuse it.”

Here are some common tax season scams.

Paying for a Refund

If a caller says they have your tax refund, but you’ll have to pay a “fee” to receive it, it’s a scam.

The Department of Revenue will never demand money before giving you your refund.

Threatening Letters and Phone Calls

Montanans have received letters saying they owe taxes to Montana, and that the state will seize their property, garnish their Social Security, or even arrest them.

If you owe back taxes to Montana, this is not how we will contact you.

The Department of Revenue may contact individual taxpayers or businesses by phone, but in nearly all cases we will call only after sending at least one letter by U.S. mail. Such calls may come from our Collections unit to discuss past-due taxes or a payment plan, and we may need to verify information, but we will never threaten a taxpayer with arrest for non-payment.

A sample of a scam letter sent to threaten taxpayers.

Example of a scam letter threatening legal action against a taxpayer.

Unclaimed Property, For a Fee

The Department of Revenue distributes unclaimed assets, such as insurance payouts, mineral royalties or old bank balances, to thousands of Montanans each year. But the department doesn’t charge for it. Private parties that will locate unclaimed property for a fee are not necessarily breaking the law, but it is not necessary to use them. And the department will not contact owners individually about unclaimed property.

Check to see if you have unclaimed property using the TransAction Portal (TAP).

Phishing for Data

Don’t click links on unsolicited emails. These links could infect your computer with malware that can jeopardize the security of your personal data such as your Social Security Number or banking information.

Do not provide personal information if you are not sure who you are talking to. To verify a call is from the Department of Revenue, call our Collections unit at (406) 444-6949.

Learn more about tax fraud in Montana.

Property Appraisal Notices Coming from Department of Revenue

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The Montana Department of Revenue is mailing notices to all owners of residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties, showing their market and taxable values for the 2019-2020 appraisal cycle.

These notices are not tax bills. They include the department’s determination of market value for your property and will be used by your county treasurer to determine your property tax bills.

“It’s important that Montana property owners review this information thoroughly,” said Gene Walborn, Director of the Montana Department of Revenue. “If property owners wait until property tax bills are sent in November, it will be too late for the department to correct and update property characteristics that may impact the value of the property for the 2019 tax year. So please review the notice as soon as possible and contact us if you have questions.”

If property owners disagree with the department’s determination, they may submit a Request for Informal Classification and Appraisal Review (called Form AB-26) within 30 days of the date on their notice. Owners can electronically submit the form, download it, and find more information on our website.

Contact us for more information.

Montana Tax Tip: Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans

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Montana veterans have through April 15 to apply for the Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program, which can provide relief on property taxes.

Veterans with 100 percent service-related disabilities and their unmarried surviving spouses may be eligible.

Single veterans may qualify if their federal adjusted gross income is less than $52,507. That limit is $60,585 for veterans who are married or head of household, and $45,775 for unmarried surviving spouses.

Depending on income, the program can reduce general property taxes by 50 to 100 percent on a primary residence.

As long as the applicant owns and lives in his or her home, that application will remain active and the department will send a letter each year with the homeowner’s current status in the program.

See the Montana Disabled Veteran Property Tax Assistance Program (MDV) for more information.

Download the MDV Application in My Revenue

Filing Season Begins January 28, 2019

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The Montana Department of Revenue will open the state Individual Income Tax filing season on Monday, January 28, 2019.

“We encourage Montanans to get started early with their returns, and to file electronically,” said Montana Department of Revenue Director Gene Walborn. “E-filing is the easiest and most secure way to file your returns and the best way to get your refund as quickly as possible.”

Nearly 90 percent of Montanans already file electronically. Tax software providers and tax professionals will be accepting and preparing tax returns before January 28, and will submit those returns when the IRS and state systems open.

Montana filers should allow up to 90 days to receive their refunds.

Free and low-cost help is available for Montanans who qualify, with tax help events in dozens of communities across the state.

Taxpayers will see a few changes this year.

  • For those who file on paper, the federal Form 1040EZ has been discontinued, and with that change the corresponding Montana Form 2EZ is also discontinued. Filers who would have used form 2EZ can now file just the first page of the new, streamlined Form 2.
  • Copies of the 1099-G form will not be mailed. This form documents payments from Montana, such as income tax refunds, for use in federal returns. Starting this year, filers can find the information online at Get1099.mt.gov.
  • The former separate paper form for the Elderly Homeowner/Renter Tax Credit (Form 2EC) is now included in Form 2. Those with no obligation to file can still claim the credit online at dor.mt.gov, or on Form 2, using just Pages 1 and 9.

The department also urges those filing a Montana return for the first time to keep their mailing address current with the department to avoid possible delays in receiving their refunds. Visit revenue.mt.gov or call (406) 444-6900 for more information.

Tax returns must be filed by April 15.

Montana Individual Income Tax Return Form 2 Available in My Revenue
Montana Individual Income Tax Return Form 2 Available in My Revenue

Department of Revenue Urges Montanans to Check for Unclaimed Cash and Property

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Thousands of Montanans have assets waiting in trust.

HELENA – Every year in Montana, millions of dollars and other personal assets go unclaimed. And every year, the Montana Department of Revenue encourages individuals and businesses to check whether some of that might be theirs.

The unclaimed property can come from a variety of sources such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks and money orders, insurance policy payments and unused gift certificates, as well as stocks, bonds and the contents from safe deposit boxes. By law, the Montana Department of Revenue holds unclaimed property in trust indefinitely for owners to claim.

Montanans can check their local newspapers over the next few months for ads and inserts from the department listing the owners of property that’s been reported as unclaimed during the last year.

Anyone can also check online for property that may be theirs, regardless of how long ago it was originally reported as unclaimed. Go to tap.dor.mt.gov and click on the “Search for Unclaimed Cash” link to look up names. Follow the on-screen instructions to create and submit a claim.

“This unclaimed property belongs to thousands of individuals across Montana and the country, and the department is committed to returning these assets to their rightful owners,” said Gene Walborn, director of the Montana Department of Revenue. “All Montanans should check their local paper or go online and look for their names, as well as those of their loved ones and recently deceased family members. You never know what you’ll find.”

The department reminds Montanans that while some businesses may offer to help people find their property – for a fee – those commercial services are not necessary. Montanans and others do not have to pay to reclaim their own property, and can submit their claim online in just a few minutes.

For help with a claim or for more information, visit tap.dor.mt.gov, call the department at (406) 444-6900 or email UnclaimedProperty@mt.gov.

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