MT SB536

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) corporations that are 100% employee-owned may now claim a refund of contractor's license fees using a department form, since they are exempt from corporate and individual income taxes

Credit carryforward period for contractor's license fees extends from 5 years to 7 years for taxes imposed under chapters 30 (income tax) or 31 (corporate income tax)

Real property taxes (excluding class four residential property) may now be credited against contractor's license fees, in addition to existing credits for personal property taxes and vehicle fees

Contractors claiming a credit against real property taxes must prove all property taxes owed in Montana are paid in full

Effective date is January 1, 2026, and applies to accrued credit carryforwards available to ESOP corporations that were previously unclaimed due to their tax-exempt status