The clock is ticking for property owners who want to protest the property appraisals sent out recently by the Montana Department of Revenue.

There is a 30-day time period from the date on the notice to appeal the state’s determination of a property’s market and taxable values.

The state began mailing classification and appraisal notices to all owners of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural properties starting June 19.

“We ask you to review the information thoroughly,” Mike Kadas, director of the Montana Department of Revenue, said in a press release. “Although this is not a tax bill, it is important information that your county treasurer’s office will use when calculating your property tax bill.”

State property used to be reappraised every six years, and that time-frame still applies to forestland. Montana switched to a two-year reappraisal process starting in 2015 for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural property. This appraisal cycle included tax years 2014 and 2015. Flathead County property owners paid their second-half taxes the end of May for their 2016 tax bill. Bills reflecting the reappraised property values will be sent in late October.

Property owners in Flathead County generally saw an increase in their appraisals because of the increase in market value, department Public Information Officer Mary Ann Dunwell told the Inter Lake. The appraisal cycle before the current one included some of the heaviest real estate foreclosure years in the Flathead during the recession, particularly the years 2010 through 2012.

Dunwell said the department’s Kalispell office has been getting some calls but isn’t “swamped” with inquiries. Most calls are of an education nature — “how does this work?” she said.

If property owners disagree with the state’s reappraisal determination, they can electronically submit a Form AB-26 — Request for Informal Classification and Appraisal Review — to the department at revenue.mt.gov/home/property/appraisal-notice.

Instead of submitting a Form AB-26 for an informal review, property owners can make a formal appeal directly to the county tax appeal board, also within 30 days of the notice date.

Most property taxpayer concerns are resolved informally with the department through the AB-26 process, the Department of Revenue said in its press release.

“People should not be hesitant to call us, to put your concerns to rest sooner rather than later,” Dunwell said. “When you get your tax bill in November it’s too late.”

The reason for the tight, 30-day response time is because the state by law has to deliver the reappaisal information to counties by the first week in August, she said. Montana law requires the department to send a classification and appraisal notice to property owners in the first year of each appraisal cycle and whenever a change in ownership, classification or value has occurred.

Property owners in Flathead County can get their questions answered through the Department of Revenue’s Kalispell office at 100 Financial Dr., Suite 210. Call that office at 758-5700.

Property owners also can access additional details about their property characteristics and values online by visiting revenue.mt.gov/my property. Call toll-free 866-859-2254.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.