Tax Policy

Nebraska property tax modernization

Nebraska property tax modernization

Nebraska’s property tax is older than the state itself, and old taxes benefit from being updated as the state economy evolves. Property taxation was first instituted in 1857, under a territorial legislature, and then became a statewide tax when Nebraska achieved statehood in 1867. Nebraska leaders have iteratively updated the property tax system throughout the...

By Michael Lucci

Missouri Tax Reform Heightens Tax Competition on Nebraska’s Border

Missouri Tax Reform Heightens Tax Competition on Nebraska’s Border

Missouri Governor Mike Parsons signed a tax reform package into law on Wednesday, October 5th, improving Missouri’s individual income tax. Senate Bills 3 and 5 will advance the Show-Me State towards a lower, flatter income tax structure by enacting near-term rate cuts with more rate cuts scheduled for coming years. The tax cuts will result...

By Michael Lucci

Nebraska’s Property Tax Relief Needs to Deliver for all Taxpayers

Nebraska’s Property Tax Relief Needs to Deliver for all Taxpayers

Governor Pete Ricketts held a press conference on September 15th to encourage Nebraskans to claim their property tax credits.  The Department of Revenue’s website has the relevant documents, here, for Nebraskans who have not yet claimed their credits. Taxpayers can claim a credit worth up to 30% for their school property taxes paid, depending on...

By Michael Lucci

What you need to know about Truth in Taxation in Nebraska: Part 2

What you need to know about Truth in Taxation in Nebraska: Part 2

As a reminder, beginning this year, Nebraska’s counties, cities, school districts, and community colleges are required to directly notify taxpayers and hold joint public hearings if the budget they propose requires a more than 2% plus the real growth rate increase in property tax revenue compared to the previous year. This process is formally known...

By Elizabeth Hallgren

A Nebraska homeowner couldn’t pay $600 in property taxes, and lost $60,000 in home equity

A Nebraska homeowner couldn’t pay $600 in property taxes, and lost $60,000 in home equity

The Pacific Legal Foundation has asked the Supreme Court to hear a case questioning the constitutionality of a Nebraska law that allows counties to sell property tax liens to private entities, who can then take the property, and any equity that the owners have in excess of the tax obligation they owed. This process is known...

By Laura Ebke

Nebraska’s K-12 Finance System Lacks Transparency and Is Too Dependent on Property Taxes

Nebraska’s K-12 Finance System Lacks Transparency and Is Too Dependent on Property Taxes

For decades, Nebraska’s public school funding system has exerted major influence over the state’s tax policy. In 1989, the state adopted the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Act (TEEOSA), in an attempt to alleviate disparities in property tax burdens and education funding between districts by having the state take on a larger responsibility in funding...

By Christian Barnard

What you need to know about Truth in Taxation in Nebraska: Part 1  

What you need to know about Truth in Taxation in Nebraska: Part 1  

Truth in Taxation was passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2021 and will be implemented for the first time in September 2022. This is the first blog in a two-part series. In this post I will introduce you to why Nebraska needs Truth in Taxation and what you can expect from the process. In the...

By Elizabeth Hallgren

Mark your calendar for Nebraska property tax hearings

Mark your calendar for Nebraska property tax hearings

In September, every taxpayer who has at least one taxing entity on their bill participating in a Truth in Taxation hearing will receive a mailed postcard with public hearing information. Legally, all hearings must be held after 6 p.m. between September 17 and 28, and postcards must be in the mail 7 days before a...

By Adam Weinberg

Make Nebraska property taxes honest with Truth in Taxation

Make Nebraska property taxes honest with Truth in Taxation

Want a say in how your property taxes are decided? Participate in a Truth in Taxation hearing. Every year in September, Nebraska's Truth in Taxation law requires cities, counties, school districts, and community college districts to directly notify taxpayers about proposed major property tax increases and hold public hearings where taxpayers can express their views about property taxes in their community. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, How Nebraskans Can Control Property Taxes with Truth in Taxation, to learn: Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:38 Why Nebraska created a Truth in Taxation law. 05:55 What the Truth in Taxation process will involve every September. 11:05 How Nebraskans can use Truth in Taxation to keep property taxes in check. Stay tuned until the end, when I'll share how you can receive free Truth in Taxation resources, which will help you stand up for taxpayers in your area. === If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit PlatteInstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our research and advocacy. ❌It’s time to stop the status quo. Let’s remove economic barriers and make Nebraskans proud.

By Jim Vokal

Closing Nebraska’s property tax honesty gap with Truth in Taxation

Closing Nebraska’s property tax honesty gap with Truth in Taxation

Republished from Nebraska Examiner Recent reports that Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s proposed 2023 budget contains no tax increase is a prime example of an honesty gap in how Nebraska leaders discuss local property taxes. In fact, the proposal would increase property tax revenues more than 6%. Even I should accept some blame for the honesty...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraska’s Property Tax Request Act and Truth in Taxation

Nebraska’s Property Tax Request Act and Truth in Taxation

Nebraska’s 2021 Property Tax Request Act added Nebraska to the list of states with a comprehensive Truth in Taxation property tax law. Four types of local taxing jurisdictions–counties, cities, school districts, and community colleges–will comply with the provisions of the new law every September, creating an opportunity for the public to be fully informed about...

By Michael Lucci

Preparing for Truth in Taxation, Nebraska’s Property Tax Transparency Law

Preparing for Truth in Taxation, Nebraska’s Property Tax Transparency Law

Jim Vokal and Laura Ebke discuss how you can help keep Nebraska property taxes in check and learn more about Nebraska’s new Truth in Taxation law at PlatteInstitute.org/Truth. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play. Or you can listen to the podcast on...

Jim Vokal & Gary Sadlemyer talk Nebraska’s Truth in Taxation law on KFAB

Jim Vokal & Gary Sadlemyer talk Nebraska’s Truth in Taxation law on KFAB

Jim Vokal joined Gary Sadlemyer on the KFAB Morning News to walk through how Nebraska’s new Truth in Taxation law equips taxpayers with more information about potential property tax increases, and what to do if they’re concerned. You can find more free tips and resources about Truth in Taxation at PlatteInstitute.org/Truth.

September is Truth in Taxation Month in Nebraska

September is Truth in Taxation Month in Nebraska

September is typically when we think of the beginning of fall and settling into the routine of a new school year. However, this year September will take on a new meaning. September is now Truth in Taxation month here in Nebraska. This year, our cities, counties, school boards, and community colleges are required to engage...

By Elizabeth Hallgren