Montana has announced that the deadline to file the individual income tax returns is May 17th.

Montana personal tax returns are due by April 15. If you cannot file by that date, you can get a state tax extension. A Montana extension will give you 6 more months to file, moving the deadline to October 15.

Montana personal extensions are automatic, which means there is no application to submit. The State of Montana will automatically grant you an extension if one of the following situations applies to you:

• Your Montana tax liability for the current year (for which you’re filing) is $200 or less

• You paid 100% of your Montana tax liability for the previous year (through withholding and/or estimated tax payments) by April 15

• You paid at least 90% of your Montana tax liability for the current year (through withholding and/or estimated tax payments) by April 15

• You’re a first-time filer

• You had zero (or negative) taxable income for the previous year

NOTE: You do not need to file a Federal tax extension (IRS Form 4868) in order to get a Montana tax extension.

Keep in mind that a tax extension does not give you extra time to pay your state income tax. Your Montana tax must be paid by the original deadline (April 15) or penalties and interest will apply. You can submit a state tax payment using Montana Form EXT-15 / IT (Extension Payment Worksheet / Individual Income Tax Payment Voucher). If you’re unsure whether you need to make a Montana extension payment, complete the Worksheet on Form EXT-15. Tax payments can also be made electronically via Montana Online Services: revenue.mt.gov/online_services

For more information, please visit the Montana Department of Revenue website: revenue.mt.gov