Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Fort Benton, Montana
Median Fort Benton, Montana effective property tax rate: 1.11%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Montana state median of 0.78%.
Median Fort Benton, Montana home value: $177,300
Median annual Fort Benton, Montana tax bill: $1,895, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Chouteau calculated?
Property taxes in Fort Benton, Montana are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Fort Benton’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Fort Benton, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.11%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,968
$1,826
How Does the Fort Benton Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Fort Benton property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Fort Benton’s median effective tax rate of 1.11% — based on actual property records in Chouteau County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment process uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Fort Benton’s median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Fort Benton: rates range from 1.11% in 59442 to 1.11% in 59442, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Fort Benton.
About Fort Benton Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Fort Benton, Chouteau, Montana
Fort Benton’s median effective property tax rate of 1.11% is lower than the Montana state median of 0.78% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Chouteau County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Fort Benton. Homeowners in the 59442 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.11%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 1.11%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Chouteau County. Understanding which part of Fort Benton you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Fort Benton homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the June 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Fort Benton’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Montana and the median property tax rates in Montana and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Fort Benton Tax Rate
1.11%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Chouteau County Tax Rate
0.94%
Median Effective Montana Tax Rate
0.78%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59442 | 0.71% | 0.96% | 1.11% | 1.20% | 1.36% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
When examining property taxes in Fort Benton, Montana, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Chouteau County tax authority estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Chouteau County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Fort Benton.
For example, the median home price in Fort Benton is $177,300, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 59442 has the highest median home price at $177,300.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
Source: Ownwell
$19,015
$170,305
$321,595
Median Fort Benton Market Value
$177,300
Median Chouteau County Market Value
$152,900
Median Montana Market Value
$317,000
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59442 | $50,816 | $104,350 | $177,300 | $252,050 | $359,620 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
Property tax bills in Fort Benton are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Chouteau County. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change too, which affects the final bill. Local taxing authorities use that assessed value to determine how much each homeowner owes, so two homes with different values may have very different tax bills.
In Fort Benton, the median home price is $177,300, and the median property tax bill is $1,895. That is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400, which can make the area more affordable for some homeowners. Still, bills can vary widely: the 25th percentile is $1,082, while the 75th percentile is $2,685 and the 90th percentile is $3,523. For homeowners, this means property taxes can be a meaningful part of housing costs, especially if a home is valued higher than similar properties nearby.
Median Fort Benton Tax Bill
$1,895
Median Chouteau County Tax Bill
$1,424
Median Montana Tax Bill
$2,559
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59442 | $575 | $1,082 | $1,895 | $2,685 | $3,523 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Chouteau Tax Assessor | |
| Website | svc.mt.gov |