15-6-231. (Temporary) Periodic review of property tax exemption -- dispute resolution -- rulemaking. (1) Owners of real property shall apply to the department for a property tax exemption under 15-6-201(1)(b), (1)(e) through (1)(g), (1)(i), (1)(k), (1)(l), (1)(n), and (1)(o), 15-6-203, 15-6-209, 15-6-221, and 15-6-227.
(2) The department shall administer the provisions of subsection (1) by requiring real property owners or entities to submit:
(a) a renewal application and the accompanying fee provided for in 15-6-233 for each real property that is receiving tax-exempt status on April 30, 2015; and
(b) any further information deemed necessary by the department as established by rule for the purpose of making a determination of continued eligibility for tax-exempt status.
(c) (i) The initial renewal application must be submitted to the department no later than March 1, 2016. Subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii), the department shall require uniform renewal applications to be submitted on a cyclical basis as established by rule, and cyclical review must occur at least every 6 years.
(ii) A real property owner or entity that received a new exemption within 2 calendar years of the uniform renewal application deadline is not required to submit a renewal application during the property's first review cycle.
(3) The department shall review the information provided and shall approve or deny the application for exemption. If the department determines that the real property or a portion of the real property is no longer eligible for a property tax exemption, it shall send the owner or entity claiming the exemption a notice of the real property or portion of the real property that is subject to loss of eligibility by posted mail, by e-mail, or electronically. The owner or entity may seek review of the department's final determination with the state tax appeal board.
(4) The department shall provide public notice to real property owners or entities for which it has a last-known address of their obligation to reapply for tax-exempt status under the provisions of subsection (2) by:
(a) sending through posted mail, by e-mail, or electronically a notice to real property owners or entities for which it has a last-known address; and
(b) publishing notices on its website and in publications of general circulation in Montana.
(5) The department shall establish uniform deadlines for owners or entities to reapply for tax-exempt status while maintaining consistency, uniform standards, and an orderly review process. The department shall consider the timeframe for certification of taxable value to taxing authorities under 15-10-202 when it establishes deadlines under this section.
(6) The department may grant a reasonable extension of time for a real property owner to comply with this section whenever, in its judgment, good cause exists.
(7) The department may adopt rules that are necessary to implement and administer the provisions of 15-6-233 and this section. (Terminates December 31, 2021--sec. 8, Ch. 372, L. 2015.)