Montana Income Tax information for military personnel and spouses


Military Income

Exempt Military Income

You can subtract military pay from your adjusted gross income if:

If you claim this exemption, you must include verification of your military status such as your military orders with your income tax return.

Even if all of your income is exempt, Montana residents still must file a return.

Non-exempt Military Income

You can't claim a military exemption if your military income is:

Nonresidents Stationed in Montana

Income Tax Returns for Nonresident Active Service Personnel

If you are not a Montana resident stationed in Montana, you do not need to file a Montana income tax return unless you have income from civilian work in Montana, such as:

If you have any civilian income in Montana, you need to file a Montana individual income tax return.

Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Licenses for Active Service Personnel

Normally, applying for a resident hunting, fishing, or trapping license makes you a Montana resident for tax purposes. But, if you are a temporarily stationed in Montana on active service, you and your dependents can be treated as residents when you apply for certain licenses without becoming a resident. (87-2-102, MCA)

You can apply as a resident for:

Montana Driver's Licenses for Active Service Personnel

Montana law lets nonresident service members drive in Montana without a Montana driver's license in a number of circumstances, but they may obtain a license without becoming a Montana resident for income tax purposes.

For more information on military driver's licenses, see the Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division information on new residents and military services.

Military Spouse

If you and your spouse are not residents of Montana, your spouse doesn't need to pay Montana income tax.

The Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) generally requires a nonresident, nonmilitary spouse to pay income tax only in their home state.

Resident Military Spouse Joint Filing

If you are a Montana resident, you must report all of your income to Montana by filing a Montana individual income tax return, even if stationed outside the state. You may exempt your salary from active duty in the regular armed forces when filing your return.

Your spouse who is a Montana resident or who has Montana source income is also required to file. See Montana Residency for more details.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Montana and the IRS allow all filers a six-month extension for filing their income tax returns, but this extension does not apply to paying the tax. (The IRS requires filing a form to get the filing extension; Montana does not.) For members of the military on active duty in the regular armed forces and serving in a combat zone or contingency operation, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act grants an extension on payments if their service prevents them from paying their income tax.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act only applies to active duty personnel in the regular armed forces. If you are in the National Guard or serving in the reserves, the Act does not apply until you receive orders to enter active duty.

If you qualify under the SCRA, if you file within 180 days of your last day in a combat zone, you won't be charged any penalties or interest.

See our web page on military active duty extensions for more information.

National Guard Service Members

Members of the National Guard have different tax requirements than other branches of the military.

Title 32 Active Guard Reserve (AGR)

If you are a member of the National Guard engaged in Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) duty, your pay isn't tax exempt. Beginning January 1, 2017, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service began withholding Montana state income tax from your pay if you are a Montana resident AGR.

Life Insurance Reimbursements

You do not need to add life insurance reimbursements from the US Department of Defense during active duty in a contingency operation.

You can subtract reimbursements from the Montana Department of Military Affairs for premiums paid under service member's group life insurance on your Montana gross income.

Travel Expenses

You can deduct travel expenses if you traveled more than 100 miles from home to perform services as a National Guard or reserve member.

This deduction is taken on Schedule 1, Line 11 of your federal Form 1040 and on Schedule 1, Line 11 of your Montana Form 2. You must include a copy of your federal Form 2106 or 2106-EZ with your return to claim this deduction.

Military Retirement

When you retire from the U.S. armed forces, you lose coverage by the Federal Service Members Civil Relief Act. Treat your income, including your military pension, like other income for tax purposes. 

Beginning in Tax Year 2024, working military retirees may be eligible to exempt a portion of their military retirement income from Montana tax. More information about the exemption is here.

See filing requirements for more information.

Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans

The Montana Disabled Veterans (MDV) Assistance Program helps disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouse by reducing the property tax rate on their home. The veteran must have 100% disability from an injury related to service.

The MDV reduction is based on income and marriage status. See the Montana Disabled Veteran Property Tax Assistance Program (MDV) for more information.