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Confirm current rules with your installation JAG office or a licensed attorney before making financial or legal decisions. Laws change.
01 · Military Pay and State Income Tax
Montana provides meaningful income tax relief for servicemembers, National Guard members, and military retirees.
Montana exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. Retirees who establish Montana domicile do not pay state income tax on their retired pay, a significant benefit in a state known for its outdoor lifestyle and quality of life.
Active duty pay earned while serving outside Montana on federal orders is exempt from MT state income tax. Servicemembers stationed at Malmstrom who deploy outside Montana benefit from this exemption for the duration of their deployment.
Montana National Guard and reserve component pay during federal activation is generally exempt. Drill pay may be subject to MT income tax. Consult the Montana Department of Revenue for your specific situation.
VA disability compensation is exempt from Montana state income tax consistent with federal law.
Montana does levy a state income tax on income that is not exempt, with rates up to 6.75%. Servicemembers stationed at Malmstrom whose base pay is subject to MT tax should factor this into their financial planning.
Do this next. Contact the Montana Department of Revenue (406-444-6900) with questions. Keep your LES and orders to document out-of-state service.
02 · Property Tax Benefits for Veterans
Montana provides property tax assistance programs for disabled veterans and their families.
Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA may qualify for property tax assistance through Montana's Disabled Veterans (DV) Property Tax Assistance Program, which provides a reduction in property taxes on their primary residence. The benefit amount depends on household income and property value.
Unlike states that offer a flat exemption, Montana's DV assistance program uses an income-based sliding scale. Higher-income veterans may receive a smaller benefit. Contact your county treasurer for current income thresholds and benefit schedules.
The surviving spouse of a qualifying disabled veteran may retain property tax assistance eligibility as long as they meet income requirements and continue to occupy the home as their primary residence.
Montana has offered property tax rebate programs for all homeowners including military families. Check the Montana Department of Revenue for current program availability.
Do this next. Apply for DV property tax assistance through your county treasurer. Malmstrom AFB families should contact the Cascade County Treasurer (406-454-6820).
03 · Education Benefits in Montana
Montana offers state-level tuition benefits stacked on top of federal GI Bill programs.
Active members of the Montana National Guard receive a tuition waiver at Montana University System institutions. The waiver covers a significant portion of tuition costs. Contact the Montana Adjutant General's office for current waiver levels and eligibility requirements.
Active duty servicemembers stationed in Montana, their spouses, and dependents are eligible for in-state tuition at Montana University System institutions immediately. No 12-month waiting period. Great Falls College MSU is located directly in the Malmstrom community.
Montana State University, University of Montana, and Great Falls College MSU participate in Yellow Ribbon or accept Post-9/11 GI Bill. Contact each institution's veterans services office for current participation.
Eligible dependents of veterans rated 100% P&T or who died in service may use Chapter 35 DEA benefits at any Montana institution.
Do this next. Great Falls College Montana State University is the most immediately accessible institution for Malmstrom AFB families. The University of Montana (Missoula) and Montana State University (Bozeman) are the flagship institutions.
04 · SCRA
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is federal law. Montana courts and landlords must honor all SCRA protections.
Terminate any MT lease with 30 days written notice after receiving PCS orders or a deployment of 90 or more days.
Pre-service debts capped at 6% interest upon written request with orders.
MT courts cannot foreclose on a servicemember's primary residence without a court order while on active duty and for 1 year after.
Landlords cannot evict an active duty servicemember or family from a primary residence without a court order.
MT courts cannot enter a default judgment against an active duty servicemember without a hearing.
Do this next. Contact the JAG Legal Assistance office at Malmstrom AFB (406-731-4403) for SCRA enforcement help, lease issues, wills, and powers of attorney.
05 · Military Spouse Employment and Licensing
Montana supports military spouses with license reciprocity and unemployment benefits.
Montana participates in expedited endorsement for military spouses holding a valid professional license from another state.
Military spouses who leave employment to follow a servicemember on PCS orders are eligible for Montana unemployment benefits.
The Great Falls metro is a small but stable market. Job opportunities are more limited than larger metro areas, but the cost of living is correspondingly lower. Defense contractor work around Malmstrom is the primary professional employment driver.
Do this next. Contact Montana Job Service (406-447-3000) for unemployment claims and licensing reciprocity information.
06 · Quality of Life Near Malmstrom AFB and Great Falls
Big Sky Country offers unmatched outdoor recreation, a low cost of living, and a tight-knit military community.
Montana offers some of the best hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, and wildlife watching in North America. Glacier National Park is approximately 2 hours from Great Falls. The Missouri River corridor near the base is a premier fishing and outdoor destination.
The Great Falls housing market is consistently among the most affordable in the Mountain West. Median home prices are well below national averages, and VA loans are widely used in the area.
Great Falls has the essentials of a full-service city (hospitals, big-box retail, restaurants, schools) without the traffic and cost of living associated with larger metros. Many families enjoy the uncrowded pace of life.
Montana winters near Great Falls are serious. Wind chills can be extreme, and the base is at elevation. Families PCSing from warmer climates should prepare for significant weather adjustment.
Do this next. The Malmstrom AFB community is welcoming to new families. The base has active family support programs, and the Great Falls community has a long positive relationship with the military.
State Legislature
Research-Ranked
Rankings based on Military Times Best for Vets, GI Jobs Military Friendly Schools, and Victory Media research methodology. Yellow Ribbon participation verified annually.
Rankings and program details change annually. Verify current Yellow Ribbon participation and benefit amounts at benefits.va.gov/GIBILL before enrolling. GI Jobs Military Friendly designation and Military Times rankings are independently published each year.
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