The Montana Department of Revenue does not administer the Local Resort Tax.
The information provided on this page is informational only and may be inconsistent with local laws and regulations.
For more information on Resort and Local Option Taxes, see the Montana Department of Transportation and Land Use website.
Resort taxes create a funding source for some communities and resort areas to finance a variety of services.
They are collected in certain Montana communities and areas that meet specific population and economic conditions.
The fundamental idea behind resort taxes is to allow places with high numbers of visitors, but relatively few residents, to manage the wear-and-tear on local infrastructure without overburdening local citizens.
The resort tax is a sales tax that applies to:
The resort tax also applies to luxuries sold in the resort area.
See 7-6-1503 and 7-6-1501, MCA for more information.
The maximum resort tax rate is 3% (7-6-1503, MCA).
At least 5% of the resort tax revenue must offset municipal property taxes (7-6-1507, MCA).
Before collecting resort tax revenue, the Montana Department of Commerce must first designate a community (incorporated) or area (unincorporated) as a resort community or area (7-6-1501, MCA).
The local electorate must approve the tax (17-6-1504, MCA).
Montana law says the Montana Department of Commerce decides if a town or area counts as a resort. (7-6-1501, MCA)
Before declaring a resort area, the Montana Department of Commerce certifies:
Once the Montana Department of Commerce says an area qualifies as a resort, the local voters must decide on the tax rate, duration, effective date and allocation on a ballot initiative.
| Resort Name | Tax Rate | Year Enacted |
|---|---|---|
| Red Lodge | 3% | 1998 |
| Virginia City | 3% | 1991 |
| West Yellowstone | 3% | 1986 |
| Whitefish | 3% | 1996 |
| Big Sky | 3% | 1992 |
| Cooke City | 3% | 2006 |
| Craig | 3% | 2010 |
| Gardiner | 3% | 2014 |
| St Regis | 3% | 1993 |
| Wolf Creek | 3% | 2015 |