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Nebraska State Taxes

Quick Tax Facts

  • income tax wallet icon Income Tax: 2.46% – 4.55%
  • sales tax - credit card icon State Sales Tax: 5.5%
  • property tax - house icon Median Property Tax: $3,167

Overview

If you’re interested in escaping the hustle and bustle of big-city life, Nebraska may be the state for you. The state is full of wide open spaces and small towns. The downside of living there is that it’s not very tax-friendly. The state has some of the highest property tax rates in the country. Income taxes are also above average for middle-class families. On the bright side, the state recently (2025) stopped taxing retirement income, including Social Security.

Nebraska Income Tax

Nebraska uses a graduated tax rate structure that ranges between 2.46% and 4.55%.

2026 Nebraska Income Tax Rates – Single or Married Filing Separately
Taxable IncomeTax Rate
$0 – $2,9992.46%
$3,000 – $17,9993.51%
$18,000 – $28,9994.55%
Over $29,0004.55%
2026 Nebraska Income Tax Rates – Married Filing Jointly or Surviving Spouse
Taxable IncomeTax Rate
$0 – $5,9992.46%
$6,000 – $35,9993.51%
$36,000 – $57,9994.55%
Over $58,0004.55%
2026 Nebraska Income Tax Rates – Head of Household
Taxable IncomeTax Rate
$0 – $5,5992.46%
$5,600- $28,7993.51%
$28,800 – $42,9994.55%
Over $43,0004.55%

Nebraska’s top tax rate will decrease each year until reaching 3.99% for the 2027 tax year.

Who Must File?

Full-year Nebraska residents who are required to file a federal income tax return must also file a state return (1040N). You must also file a Nebraska income tax return if you have $5,000 or more of net Nebraska adjustments to your federal adjusted gross income (AGI). This includes non-Nebraska state and local bond interest exempt from federal tax.

Partial-year and non-residents must file a Nebraska income tax return if they have income derived from or connected with state sources.

Nebraska Sales Tax

Nebraska’s state sales and use tax rate is 5.5%. Local governments (city and county) can levy an additional sales tax rate of .05% to 2%, making the top combined sales tax rate 7.5%.

Nebraska Property Taxes

Nebraska has some of the highest property tax rates in the United States. On average, residents pay 1.54% of their property value.

The median property tax paid in Nebraska is $3,167. Wheeler County has the highest property tax at an average of $4,853. The lowest amount is $879 in Adams County.

Nebraska Property Tax
Highest

$4853

Median

$3167

Lowest

$879

Yearly Cost Per Resident

Nebraska Tax Holidays

There are no tax holidays scheduled in Nebraska at this time.

Nebraska Tax Relief

Tax debt can quickly become more difficult to manage when Nebraska income taxes remain unpaid. In addition to a growing balance due to penalties and interest, taxpayers may face collection efforts from the Nebraska Department of Revenue (DOR). Whether you’re dealing with past-due returns, a period of financial hardship, or unpaid business taxes, taking action early can help you better understand your options and prevent the problem from escalating.

If paying your Nebraska tax bill in full isn’t financially possible, you may have alternative ways to resolve the debt. Depending on your situation and eligibility, you may be able to request a payment plan, submit a tax settlement request, or pursue other available resolution options. Addressing the balance before collection efforts advance may also help you avoid or resolve actions such as tax liens, wage garnishments, and bank levies.

Knowing what to expect from Nebraska’s tax collection process can make an outstanding balance feel more manageable. By exploring your tax relief options and taking steps to resolve what you owe, you can work toward bringing your Nebraska tax account back into compliance.

Common Nebraska State Tax Problems

back taxes icon

Back Taxes

If you owe unpaid Nebraska taxes, addressing your balance early may help you avoid additional penalties and collection actions.

unfiled tax return icon

Unfiled Tax Returns

Filing past-due Nebraska tax returns is often the first step toward resolving your state tax issues.

Tax Notices

Notices from the NE Department of Revenue shouldn’t be ignored, as they often require prompt action to prevent further collections.

tax lien and levy icon

Liens & Levies

Unresolved tax debt may lead to liens against your property or levies on your assets as the state works to collect what is owed.

wage garnishment icon

Garnishment

Nebraska may garnish your wages to collect unpaid taxes, reducing the amount of each paycheck you receive.

tax penalties icon

Tax Penalties

Unpaid taxes can continue to accrue penalties and interest until your balance is resolved.

How Nebraska Collects Tax Debt

If you owe Nebraska income taxes and don’t pay, the state follows a structured process for collecting back taxes. It starts with the initial Balance Due Notice, which outlines what you owe and a payment deadline.

The next step, if you haven’t complied, is the Notice of Demand for Payment. This gives you a final window for payment before things escalate. Once DOR certifies the debt, the state can offset (seize) any state or federal refunds you are due.

If you are uncooperative or fail to make payment arrangements, the state will then move to legal enforcement powers, such as:

  • Wage garnishment
  • Bank levy
  • Placing your name on a delinquent taxpayer list
  • Assigning your account to a private collection agency

Balance Due Notice sent to taxpayer

Notice of Demand for Payment

Referral to Collections

Nebraska State Tax Relief Options

Nebraska offers a few relief options, including:

  • Payment Plans – If you can’t pay your tax bill on time, you may be eligible to pay over several months (up to 24) through a payment plan.
  • Tax Settlement – The NE DOR may consider settling a tax debt for less than is owed if the taxpayer has limited income or is facing a financial hardship. You can submit a Financial Hardship Request for Individuals to see if you qualify.
  • Penalty Abatement – You can request abatement of a tax penalty (Form 21) only after the tax, interest, and penalty fee have been paid. The state will consider abatement if there was reasonable cause for the late payment or filing.

If you’re experiencing financial hardship and can’t pay your Nebraska income tax bill, contact the Department of Revenue as soon as possible to avoid collection actions.

When to Seek Tax Relief Help

If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to explore your tax relief options:

senior couple reviewing a collection notice

You’re Receiving Collection Notices

Ignoring Nebraska tax notices can lead to more serious collection actions, so it’s often best to address the issue early.

woman looking at an empty wallet trying to pay taxes

You Can’t Afford to Pay Your Taxes

If paying your Nebraska state tax bill in full isn’t realistic, there may be payment or resolution options available.

IRS collection actions started with lien

Collection Actions Have Started

If you’re facing wage garnishments, bank levies, or tax liens, professional guidance may help you understand your options.

The sooner you address your tax debt, the more options you may have available to resolve your balance and minimize additional collection actions.

Nebraska Tax Relief FAQs

Nebraska Tax Resources

If you need assistance preparing your Nebraska state taxes, you can speak with a tax professional from Tax Defense Network by calling 855-476-6920.

You can also visit the Nebraska Department of Revenue website for additional resources.

Need Help Resolving Nebraska Tax Debt?