Resort Tax in Montana

UPDATE: The city of Whitefish voted for this new resort tax that includes Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The ski resort sadly had no say about the new resort tax and will have to enforce it on their guests.

This news could be a sign of things to come.

Resort Tax in Montana

Many Montanans don't know about this.

Montana is one of the few states in America that doesn't have a sales tax.

Other states have varying sales taxes, but if you go into a store in Montana and the price says $1, that's what you pay.

Photos by Jon Tyson via Unsplash

Or so you think.

Certain areas of Montana have a resort tax.

What's a resort tax? Fixed areas or districts of Montana allow a small tax on certain luxury goods or services.

Hotels, food, and other goods get taxed in these areas.

High tourist areas like Whitefish, Big Sky, Gardiner, and more have added resort taxes.

Resort taxes help bring more money into the local economy to help pay for the needs of the area.

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Why are we bringing this up?

One area is planning to raise its resort taxes, and it could force other places to add it soon.

Whitefish Mountain Adding Resort Tax

It's for a solid reason.

Unofficial Networks reports Whitefish Mountain Resort will institute a 3% resort tax starting June 1st.

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Why? Whitefish Mountain Resort will use the resort tax for several initiatives.

The priorities are to help fix roads, support the Big Mountain Fire District, add worker housing, and address other needs.

With so many places adding a resort tax, is there another place in Montana that could add this kind of tax?

Yup.

Bozeman Resort Tax Soon?

This conversation has been going on for years.

Bozeman has discussed adding a resort tax for some time, and with the massive surge of tourists lately, it makes sense.

Photo by Charles Moll via Unsplash

Adding a resort tax can help ease property taxes in Bozeman.

Plus, it could expand funds for services for first responders, parks, and other needs that could use some money.

Should Bozeman add a resort tax?

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