Budget & Taxes (Property Tax)

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 464: Interim study to explore the potential for a de minimis personal property tax exemption

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Revenue Committee to conduct an interim study on creating a small exemption for personal property taxes. The study will examine how other states handle similar exemptions, analyze revenue impacts across different taxpayer groups, and assess the administrative costs of processing low-value property returns. It aims to gather data on whether exempting small businesses from property taxes would reduce compliance burdens while understanding the potential revenue loss. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature without making any immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes tax exemption study for small businesses, reducing compliance burdens and potentially lowering tax liability for smaller entities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 826: Change provisions relating to late applications for homestead exemptions

LB 826 amends Nebraska law to change deadlines and requirements for homestead exemption applications, directly affecting homeowners and veterans seeking property tax relief. It allows late applications for specific circumstances - such as medical conditions, spouse death, or delayed veteran status certification - with a new deadline of June 30 of the year property taxes become delinquent, requiring supporting documentation. The bill also modifies veteran exemption rules, requiring annual filings only every five years (in divisible years) and ensuring surviving spouses retain the exemption for the remaining five-year period after a veteran’s death. These changes aim to provide flexibility for eligible residents while standardizing filing processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables property tax relief for homeowners/veterans via expanded homestead exemption eligibility, reducing tax burden through modified application deadlines and requirements.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows late veteran exemption applications for medical/spouse death, easing property tax relief access with flexible deadlines85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 974: Provide for an excise tax on individual incomes and create the Tax Equity Cash Fund

LB 974 would impose a supplemental 9.5% excise tax on individual income above $1 million for single filers or $2 million for married couples filing jointly, calculated after subtracting existing income tax rates. It creates the "Tax Equity Cash Fund" to collect this new tax revenue, which the Department of Revenue would manage. Funds in the account may only be used for administrative costs related to the tax or transferred to three specific state funds (General Fund, Education Future Fund, or Property Tax Credit Cash Fund), not for new programs. This bill directly affects high-income Nebraskans earning above the thresholds, with no specified new spending beyond fund transfers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 9.5% excise tax on high-income earners ($1M+), allocates revenue to state funds (General Fund, Education Future Fund) for public services, closing tax loopholes for fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs tax revenue to Education Future Fund, providing dedicated funding for educational initiatives per bill's transfer provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Revenue

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 749: Change provisions relating to the calculation of tax levies for state aid to municipalities

This bill changes how Nebraska calculates state aid for cities and towns. It requires the Department of Revenue to use each municipality's prior year's certified property tax levy data (separating bond and nonbond taxes) to determine aid amounts. Municipalities with tax levies below the state average face a 20% aid reduction for each cent below the average, up to 80% total reduction. The calculation uses population and property tax averages, and if the aid fund is insufficient, money is allocated proportionally to all cities.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill penalizes municipalities with tax levies below state average by reducing state aid (up to 80%), effectively defunding lower-levy communities through restrictive fiscal calculation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LR 317CA: Constitutional amendment to limit the annual growth in the amount of property taxes levied by political subdivisions

This constitutional amendment (LR 317CA) would limit annual property tax increases by Nebraska's local governments (cities, counties, etc.) starting in 2027. It allows each local government to raise taxes by no more than 2% plus the percentage increase in its total property values from the previous year (based on new construction, annexations, or other value changes). If voters approve it in 2026, local governments would be restricted from exceeding this "allowable growth" limit each year. The amendment requires voter approval and would take effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts annual property tax growth by local governments to 2% + property value increase, limiting government tax authority and spending flexibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 756: Change a motor vehicle tax exemption and a property tax exemption relating to certain disabled veterans

LB 756 harmonizes tax exemption language for disabled veterans by updating two Nebraska statutes. It revises Section 60-3,185 (motor vehicle tax exemption) and Section 77-202.24 (mobile home property tax exemption) to consistently require that a veteran's disability or blindness must be "recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as service-connected" and that the veteran was discharged honorably. This change affects disabled veterans (and their surviving spouses who meet specific criteria) who own vehicles or mobile homes, ensuring both exemptions use identical eligibility language. The bill does not expand eligibility but aligns existing provisions for clarity and consistency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMaintains tax exemptions for disabled veterans through clearer eligibility criteria, providing tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 924: Change powers of learning community councils and authorized uses of learning community levies

Nebraska's LB 924 changes how learning communities (groups of school districts collaborating on shared programs) can use property tax levies. It reduces the maximum allowable levy from 95 cents to just half a cent per $100 of taxable property valuation for specific purposes. The new levy funds elementary learning center facility leases, remodeling, and up to 50% of approved capital projects for focus schools or programs. This directly affects learning communities and their member school districts by restricting and redirecting their funding authority. The bill repeals the previous 95-cent levy provision and aligns with updated funding mechanisms under Section 79-2111.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces max property tax levy rate for learning communities from 95¢ to 0.5¢ per $100 valuation, restricting tax authority for specific educational uses.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReduces maximum levy cap from 95¢ to 50¢ per $100 valuation, restricting funding flexibility for school facility projects and capital improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1131: Adopt the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Service Providers Tax Credit Act and eliminate personal property tax and sales and use tax exemptions relating to data centers

LB 1131 creates a new tax credit program to support domestic violence and human trafficking service providers, distributing $5.7 million annually starting in 2027. This includes $480,000 for tribal programs, $300,000 for a statewide coalition, and $5.22 million based on population or service area size. The bill also eliminates existing tax exemptions for data centers, removing their personal property tax and sales tax exemptions. These changes directly affect nonprofit service providers and data center operators in Nebraska, with credits being refundable and transferable to other taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $5.7M annual tax credit for domestic violence/human trafficking services and eliminates data center tax exemptions, strengthening state revenue allocation for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health services for domestic violence/human trafficking victims via tax credits, directly supporting healthcare topic of mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1257: Eliminate certain sales tax exemptions, impose sales and use taxes on certain services, change school district levy limitations, eliminate the School District Property Tax Relief Act, change provisions of the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, and provide additional foundation aid under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act

LB 1257 changes Nebraska's tax structure by ending certain sales tax exemptions (like for agricultural machinery) and requiring sales and use taxes on previously exempt services. It also eliminates the School District Property Tax Relief Act, modifies limits on how much school districts can collect in property taxes, and provides additional state funding for schools through the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act. These changes directly affect businesses selling services (now subject to tax) and school districts (losing tax relief but receiving new state aid). The bill aims to increase state revenue while adjusting school funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates tax exemptions (e.g., agricultural machinery) and imposes new taxes on services to generate revenue, while providing additional foundation aid for schools under Tax Equity Act.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides additional foundation aid via Tax Equity Act, increasing state funding for schools while modifying property tax limits to support district budgets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Sales Tax School Funding

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LR 292CA: Constitutional amendment to provide a new method of valuing real property for property tax purposes, provide a limit on property tax increases, provide certain exceptions, provide requirements for declared emergencies, provide for emergency bond levies, and eliminate conflicting constitutional provisions

This proposed constitutional amendment changes how Nebraska property taxes are calculated. It establishes two valuation methods for real property: "fair market value" (determined by assessors) and "taxable market value" (used for baseline tax liability), while capping annual tax increases at a set percentage for most properties. It includes key exceptions for agricultural and horticultural land, allowing separate tax treatment that doesn't require uniformity with other property types. The amendment also addresses emergency tax levies and eliminates conflicting existing constitutional provisions related to property taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill caps annual property tax increases for most properties, promoting fiscal responsibility and providing tax relief by preventing rapid tax hikes. Exceptions for agriculture are standard and do not negate the overall tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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