Guide to Property Assessors Offices - Nebraska

Understanding the process for Nebraska property assessment
By Michelle Cramer

Nebraska assessors offices keep track of the ownership changes for properties, keep up-to-date maps of property lines, and maintain property descriptions. A Nebraska property assessor also analyzes trends in property sales prices, the costs of constructing a new property, and the average expense for renting property. She has a number of responsibilities to the county in which they serve.

There are many ways that the information obtained through property assessment in Nebraska is useful. Consider the following when dealing with Nebraska assessors:

1. Property assessors in Nebraska consider the replacement costs to rebuild.

2. NE property assessors look at how much rental income the property could bring.

3. Nebraska assessors examine how much similar commercial properties in the area sell for.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Access property information through the Nebraska assessors office It's important that you research a property's history before making an investment. You need to know how many times there were changes in ownership, any construction done on the property, and changes in Nebraska land values over the years. Be sure to compare the assessed value of other properties in the area as well.

I recommend: Read the article on the website for Nebraska Unicameral Legislature that details the property tax process. Contact your Nebraska county assessor's office for more information regarding your business' property taxes. A list of contact information for assessors in each Nebraska county can is available on the Nebraska Department of Revenue - Property Assessment Division's website.

Know your rights under Nebraska property assessment regulations Knowledge of the laws and regulations that go into property assessment in Nebraska will help you to understand the calculation of the property tax you pay each year and where that money goes. Additionally, there are a number of tax exemptions that can lower your property tax dues, providing you meet the eligibility requirements.

I recommend: The Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board provides a directory of appraisers by county. If you intend on appealing the property value determined by your assessor, read the Information Guide provided by the Nebraska Department of Property Assessment & Taxation for details on the property valuation appeal process.

Check the accuracy of your NE property assessment There is a possibility that local Nebraska property assessors offices can calculate an inaccurate property value. If you have concern that the assessed value of your property is inaccurate, hire an appraiser to provide a second opinion. If there is a discrepancy, the appraisal provides proof of a more accurate Nebraska property value, and you can file an appeal with your local property assessors offices in Nebraska.

I recommend: Visit the KnowX Nebraska Property website for real estate records in your area as a basis of comparison for your property. You can also try AppraiserUSA.com for a list or appraisers in Nebraska. Access the Nebraska Department of Property Assessment & Taxation website for complete information on Nebraska statutes regarding property assessment and taxation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Always pay your Nebraska property tax each year by the deadline to avoid penalties. Doing so also helps the credit score for your business.