Breaking down the taxes on your Christmas drinks
Breaking down the taxes on your Christmas drinks
I’m sure if your family is getting together for the holidays there will be wine, mixed drinks or beer served. But did you know that by indulging in holiday spirits you are also paying a ‘sin’ tax? A ‘sin’ tax is an excise tax placed on something that the government ties closely to moral or...
By Sarah Curry
Nebraska’s economy is the 3rd most diversified, yet people are still leaving
Nebraska’s economy is the 3rd most diversified, yet people are still leaving
Ever wonder why Nebraska’s economy doesn’t seem to follow the national trend? For example, the nation experienced one of the worst recessions in modern history in 2008-2009, yet Nebraska was somewhat insulated from the effects. The reason – our state has a diversified economy. According to The Stacker website, Nebraska ranks 3rd best in the...
By Sarah Curry
November state revenues up, especially corporate income tax
November state revenues up, especially corporate income tax
Last month we talked about how the state’s revenues were exceeding forecasts. In the last 30 days there have been many discussions in Lincoln about what to do with this excess cash. Some want to put it into the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund, some want to use it for comprehensive property tax reform, some...
By Sarah Curry
Utah begins special session on tax reform
Utah begins special session on tax reform
Unfortunately, it’s not Nebraska that’s called a special session on taxes – it’s Utah! Utah has the nation’s 9th most favorable tax climate and one of the fastest growing economies in the nation – so what more is there to change? Well, research has shown that the state relies too much on the income tax...
By Sarah Curry
Senators staking out positions on property tax ballot initiative
Senators staking out positions on property tax ballot initiative
Nebraska state senators are already making their positions known, as a property tax ballot campaign emerges as a 2020 campaign issue.
By Adam Weinberg
New local sales taxes taking effect
New local sales taxes taking effect
According to the NE Department of Revenue, the following are changes to the local sales and use taxes effective Jan 1, 2020: Gage County will start a new 0.5% county sales and use tax rate that is effective in the entire Gage County area. Deshler will start a new 1% city sales and use tax rate. Unadilla will start a new 1.5% city sales...
By Sarah Curry
In Utah: special session on sales tax exemptions
In Utah: special session on sales tax exemptions
The proposal to be discussed includes an expansion of the state’s sales tax base.
By Adam Weinberg
Nebraska’s 10-year challenge
Nebraska’s 10-year challenge
Ever wonder how much our state has changed when it comes to tax policy? Well, in the spirit of Facebook’s ten-year challenge, here is Nebraska’s ten year tax challenge: 2009 to 2019. Here are some things to keep in mind. Slight changes in our tax rates can change our national ranking. For example, the individual...
By Sarah Curry
Voters abolish local government over income tax
Voters abolish local government over income tax
Hat-tip to Jared Walczak at the Tax Foundation for pointing out this worthwhile read in the New York Times about an Ohio village where voters decided to abolish their local government in order to fend off a tax increase. Residents of Amelia, Ohio voted to disband the local political subdivision after their council imposed a...
By Adam Weinberg
Report shows Douglas County tax collections
Report shows Douglas County tax collections
Ever wonder how much revenue your county collects? Well, due to reporting standards I can’t pull this type of information for every county in the state – but luckily Douglas County makes it easy since they issue a standardized report each year. Here is a list of what types of revenues and how much was...
By Sarah Curry
Revenue Committee shelves changes to sales tax exemptions
Revenue Committee shelves changes to sales tax exemptions
It seems we have an answer to my previous question about sales tax exemptions and their part (if any) in the Revenue Committee’s 2020 legislative property tax proposal. So far, it looks like the committee won’t be including a proposal to remove sales tax exemptions right off the bat, instead relying on currently projected increases...
By Adam Weinberg
Revenue Committee focused on rural property tax issues
Revenue Committee focused on rural property tax issues
News from Lincoln tells us that the Revenue Committee has agreed on an approach to the property tax problem in Nebraska. “…a multi-year plan to address high property taxes should first target help for farmers and ranchers, with a particular emphasis on relief in school districts with high property tax levies…” As of right now,...
By Sarah Curry
Crop prices slightly increase, yet farm income drops
Crop prices slightly increase, yet farm income drops
A report from the Kansas City Federal Reserve late last week highlighted the findings from the Tenth District Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions where farm income in the region continued to decline. “Farm income decreased from a year ago across all states in the region, with some variation in the pace of decline. Compared with...
By Sarah Curry
Over 30% of Nebraska state revenue comes from federal taxes
Over 30% of Nebraska state revenue comes from federal taxes
The Pew Charitable Trusts just released new analysis that shows around 1/3 of every state’s revenue came from the federal government in 2017. Nebraska was at 30.9%. The majority of this funding helps to pay for public services such as health care, education, transportation, and infrastructure. This is important for our lawmakers to be aware...
By Sarah Curry