Updated 2025 Tax Year

Howard County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Howard County, NE. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

8 Official Sources

8 min read

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Quick Facts

Tax Rate

1.8% to 2.4% of assessed value (varies by taxing districts including school, fire, and municipal)

Exemptions

4+ Available

Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Howard County, Nebraska operates on a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including schools, county government operations, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Howard County are assessed annually based on actual valuation of real estate and personal property, with tax rates varying significantly depending on your location within the county due to different combinations of special taxing districts such as school districts, fire districts, and municipal assessments.

The effective property tax rate in Howard County typically ranges from approximately 1.8% to 2.4% of assessed value, though this can vary based on the specific taxing districts that serve your property location. Nebraska uses actual valuation (market value) for assessment purposes with no statewide assessment cap, meaning your property is taxed based on its current market value as determined by the county assessor. Property owners should note that tax rates and assessed values are determined independently, with the total tax bill resulting from the combination of your property's assessed value and the total levy rate for all applicable taxing districts in your area.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Component	Rate (per $100)	Description
County General	$0.25-$0.35	Basic county services, roads, administration
School District	$1.10-$1.35	K-12 education funding (varies by district)
Agricultural Extension	$0.02-$0.04	University extension services
Fire Protection	$0.08-$0.15	Rural fire district services (if applicable)
Municipal	$0.30-$0.50	City services (if within city limits)
Natural Resources District	$0.03-$0.05	Water and soil conservation
Total Combined Rate	$1.78-$2.44	Varies by location and districts

Rates shown are estimates for levy year 2024-2025 and vary significantly based on your property's location within specific taxing districts. Contact the Howard County Assessor at (308) 754-4343 for exact rates applicable to your property address.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Howard County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.

Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Howard County are additional property tax assessments that occur outside the regular annual tax cycle. These are primarily triggered by new construction completion, property improvements that increase value, or changes in property ownership that result in reassessment. When improvements are completed or new construction receives a certificate of occupancy, the county assessor determines the increased value and calculates a prorated tax amount for the remainder of the current tax year.

For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in September and your total tax rate is 2.0%, you would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $333 (($50,000 × 0.020) × 4/12 months remaining in the tax year). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 60-90 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from your regular property tax payments. These taxes must be paid in addition to your regular annual property tax bill.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property

Assessed Value: $300,000
Homestead Exemption Applied: $0 (reduces assessment increases, not value)
Net Taxable Value: $300,000
Tax Rate: 2.0%
Annual Tax: $6,000
Monthly Escrow: $500

Example 2: $600,000 Property

Assessed Value: $600,000
Homestead Exemption Applied: $0 (caps assessment growth at 10% annually)
Net Taxable Value: $600,000
Tax Rate: 2.1%
Annual Tax: $12,600
Monthly Escrow: $1,050

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

Assessed Value: $1,000,000
Homestead Exemption Applied: $0 (limits assessment increases only)
Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
Tax Rate: 2.2%
Annual Tax: $22,000
Monthly Escrow: $1,833

Note: Homestead exemption in Nebraska limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing the assessed value directly. All exemptions require annual application and are not automatic.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Howard County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Your lender will estimate your annual property tax liability and divide it by 12 to determine your monthly escrow payment, which is collected along with your principal and interest payment. Lenders typically maintain a cushion of 1-2 months of payments in your escrow account to ensure adequate funds are available when taxes become due.

Property taxes in Howard County are due April 15th annually, and your lender will make payment directly to the county treasurer from your escrow account. You should receive an annual escrow analysis from your lender showing the previous year's tax payments and any adjustments needed for the coming year. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment may be adjusted accordingly. Property owners are responsible for verifying that their lender has paid taxes on time and should monitor their county tax records online or contact the treasurer's office to confirm payment.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Howard County for fiscal year 2024-2025? A: Property taxes are due April 15, 2025. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges beginning April 16.

Q: What homestead tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Nebraska offers a Homestead Exemption that limits annual assessment increases to 10% for qualifying primary residences. You must apply annually with the county assessor by June 30. This is a tax credit that requires application - it is not automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead Exemption work? A: The Homestead Exemption caps the annual increase in your home's assessed value at 10%, rather than reducing the actual assessed value. You must file an application each year by June 30 to maintain eligibility.

Q: When does the county assessor revalue properties? A: Howard County conducts annual assessments with property values updated to reflect current market conditions. Assessment notices are typically mailed in April.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: You can file an appeal with the Howard County Board of Equalization by July 25. Contact the assessor's office at (308) 754-4343 for appeal forms and procedures.

Q: What are the penalties for late tax payments? A: Late payments incur interest charges and penalties. Contact the county treasurer at (308) 754-4229 for specific penalty rates and payment arrangements.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Check with the Howard County Treasurer's office at (308) 754-4229 for available online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Howard County? A: Tax rates differ based on the combination of special taxing districts serving your property, including school districts, fire districts, and municipal boundaries. Properties in different areas may have significantly different total tax rates.

Q: What personal property requires taxation? A: Business equipment, vehicles, and other personal property brought into Howard County between January 1 and July 1 must be listed for assessment before July 31.

Q: Are there tax credits available for seniors or disabled veterans? A: Contact the Howard County Assessor at (308) 754-4343 to inquire about available tax credits for seniors, disabled veterans, or other qualifying circumstances. Most credits require annual application.

Verified Sources

Backed by 8 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

Personal Propertyhowardcounty.ne.gov

County

Howard County Indianain.gov

Permissive Exemptionshowardcounty.ne.gov

Homestead Exemptionshowardcounty.ne.gov

State

Real Estatehowardcounty.ne.gov

State

Combined Financial Statements, Supplemental Information ...govdocs.nebraska.gov

County

howard county nebraska combined financial statements, ...auditors.nebraska.gov

Planning and Zoning Regulationhowardcounty.ne.gov

All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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Howard CountyProperty Tax Guide