10-1-606. Suspension of property taxes for persons in military service. (1) All taxes, whether on real or personal property, due on property owned by a resident of Montana in the military service, as defined by section 511 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 App. U.S.C. 511, as amended, while serving outside of Montana must be suspended. Proceedings may not be taken for the collection of the taxes and penalties or interest may not accrue until 1 year after the cessation of hostilities or 1 year after the taxpayer is released from active duty. If the taxpayer was wounded, injured, or suffered a disease while serving in a combat zone or participating in a contingency operation as described in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13) that is serious enough to require hospitalization, proceedings may not be taken and penalties or interest may not accrue until 1 year after the taxpayer's release from the hospitalization.

(2) To obtain the benefits of this section, the qualified taxpayer or a co-owner of the property or agent of the taxpayer shall file with the treasurer of the county an affidavit stating that the person against whom the taxes are imposed is in military service. The affidavit must be filed on or before the time that taxes would become delinquent. The county treasurer shall record that the collection of the taxes is suspended because of the military service of the taxpayer. This section may not be construed to prevent the county treasurer from receiving payment of any taxes whenever offered.