Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Whitefish, Montana
Median Whitefish, Montana effective property tax rate: 0.50%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Montana state median of 0.78%.
Median Whitefish, Montana home value: $660,075
Median annual Whitefish, Montana tax bill: $3,187, $787 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Flathead calculated?
Property taxes in Whitefish, 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 Whitefish's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Whitefish, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.5%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,300
$3,063
How Does the Whitefish Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Whitefish property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Whitefish's median effective tax rate of 0.50% — based on actual property records in Flathead County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Whitefish'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 Whitefish: rates range from 0.50% in 59937 to 0.50% in 59937, 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 Whitefish.
About Whitefish Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Whitefish, Flathead, Montana
Whitefish’s median effective property tax rate of 0.50% is lower than the Montana state median of 0.78% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Flathead 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 Whitefish. Homeowners in the 59937 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.50%, while those in the lowest ZIP also pay 0.50%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Flathead County. Understanding which part of Whitefish you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Whitefish homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the May 15, 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 Whitefish, Flathead 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 Whitefish'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 ÷ 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 Whitefish Tax Rate
0.50%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ 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 Flathead County Tax Rate
0.57%
Median Effective Montana Tax Rate
0.78%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59937 | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.50% | 0.50% | 0.54% |
| 59937 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana
When examining property taxes in Whitefish, 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 Flathead County assessment office 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 Flathead County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of July.
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 Whitefish.
For example, the median home price in Whitefish is $660,075, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 59937 has the highest median home price at $660,075.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana
Source: Ownwell
$169,040
$414,558
$660,075
Median Whitefish Market Value
$660,075
Median Flathead County Market Value
$449,450
Median Montana Market Value
$317,000
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59937 | $323,380 | $457,600 | $660,075 | $1,030,047 | $1,943,392 |
| 59937 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana
Property tax bills in Whitefish are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Flathead County and other taxing authorities. For homeowners, the bill is determined by multiplying the assessed market value by the applicable mill levies, which can vary by location and public services.
With a median home price of $660,075, property taxes can represent a meaningful ongoing cost for Whitefish homeowners. The typical tax bill in the area reflects how local assessments and tax rates work together, and homes with higher assessed values generally face larger bills. In Whitefish, the median property tax bill is $3,187, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can significantly affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability. Bills may also differ from one neighborhood or ZIP code to another, depending on assessed value and local levies.
Median Whitefish Tax Bill
$3,187
Median Flathead County Tax Bill
$2,765
Median Montana Tax Bill
$2,559
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59937 | $1,529 | $2,210 | $3,187 | $4,971 | $9,145 |
| 59937 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Flathead Tax Assessor | |
| Website | svc.mt.gov |