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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Kearney County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Base rate ~$0.48 per $100 assessed value (varies by district combination)
1st Due
Dec 31
2nd Due
Apr 30
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Kearney County, Nebraska operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding source for essential local services including schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Kearney County are assessed annually based on the assessed valuation of real estate and personal property, with taxes becoming a lien on January 1st following the assessment year.

The effective property tax rate for Kearney County varies by location within the county due to different combinations of taxing districts, including school districts, municipalities, fire districts, and other special assessment areas. For the 2025 tax year, the base county-wide rate is approximately $0.475688884 per $100 of assessed valuation, though property owners may pay additional amounts depending on their specific taxing districts. Assessment in Nebraska is typically conducted at approximately 96-100% of market value for residential properties, making the actual tax burden close to the stated rates.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100Description
County GeneralVariesBasic county operations, roads, law enforcement
School DistrictsVariesK-12 education funding, varies by school district
MunicipalityVariesCity services (if within city limits)
Fire DistrictsVariesFire protection and emergency services
Total Base Rate$0.475688884Combined rate for FY 2025 (varies by location)

Note: The total effective rate varies significantly by location within Kearney County depending on which taxing districts apply to your property. School district levies typically represent the largest component of your tax bill. Special improvement districts, bond issues, and other local assessments may result in additional charges beyond the base rate shown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Dec 31
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Apr 30
Delinquent after Apr 10
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 Kearney County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or new construction during the tax year. These supplemental bills are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change occurred.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include: completion of new construction projects, major renovations that increase property value, subdivision of land, or corrections to previous assessments. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in March and your tax rate is $0.48 per $100, you would owe approximately $240 in supplemental taxes for the remaining 9 months of that tax year ($50,000 × 0.0048 × 9/12 = $180). Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from regular property tax bills.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): varies
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000 (assuming no credits applied)
  • Annual Tax: $300,000 × 0.00475688884 = $1,427.07
  • Monthly Escrow: $118.92

Example 2: $600,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): varies
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000 (assuming no credits applied)
  • Annual Tax: $600,000 × 0.00475688884 = $2,854.13
  • Monthly Escrow: $237.84

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): varies
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000 (assuming no credits applied)
  • Annual Tax: $1,000,000 × 0.00475688884 = $4,756.89
  • Monthly Escrow: $396.41

Important Note: Tax credits such as the Homestead Exemption require annual application and are not automatically applied. Actual tax rates may vary based on your specific taxing districts within Kearney County.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Kearney County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% equity. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment and pays your property taxes directly to the county when due. Escrow payments are calculated by estimating your annual property tax bill and dividing by 12 months, often with a small cushion to account for potential increases.

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected. If property taxes increase significantly, you may face an escrow shortage requiring either a lump sum payment or increased monthly payments. Property taxes in Kearney County are due by September 10th annually, and your lender should remit payment before this deadline to avoid penalties. You can verify that your lender has paid your taxes by checking with the Kearney County Treasurer's office or reviewing your annual mortgage statement. If you pay taxes independently (no escrow), you remain responsible for meeting the September 10th deadline.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Kearney County for FY 2025? A: Property taxes for the 2025 tax year are due by September 10, 2025. This deadline applies to all property owners in Kearney County.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary tax credit available is the Homestead Exemption, which requires annual application and is NOT automatic. Contact the Kearney County Assessor at 402-471-5962 for current application requirements and deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead Exemption caps the annual increase in your home's assessed valuation for tax purposes, typically limiting increases to a certain percentage. This does not reduce your home's market value but provides tax relief by limiting assessment growth. You must apply annually to maintain this benefit.

Q: How often is my property assessed? A: Nebraska conducts property assessments annually. The Kearney County Assessor reviews property values each year, with the assessed value determined as of January 1st.

Q: Can I appeal my property assessment? A: Yes, property owners can appeal their assessment through the Kearney County Board of Equalization. Appeals must typically be filed by June 30th following the assessment year. Contact the County Assessor's office for specific procedures and deadlines.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur interest and penalty charges. Contact the Kearney County Treasurer for current penalty rates and payment options if you've missed the September 10th deadline.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Check with the Kearney County Treasurer's office for current online payment options and accepted payment methods. Many Nebraska counties offer online payment systems for property taxes.

Q: Why do properties in the same neighborhood have different tax rates? A: Properties may fall within different special taxing districts such as school districts, fire protection districts, or municipal boundaries. These overlapping districts create varying total tax rates even within the same general area of Kearney County.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
2025 REPORTS AND OPINIONS OF THE PROPERTY TAX ...revenue.nebraska.gov
02
State
2025-2026 - state of nebraskaclerk.douglascounty-ne.gov
03
Excel File; Page 1revenue.nebraska.gov
04
County
Kearney County – Nebraskakearneycounty.ne.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Assessment and Taxation Calendarrevenue.nebraska.gov
06
Tax Doc
Nebraska Tax Calendarrevenue.nebraska.gov
07
Register of Deedskearneycounty.ne.gov
08
Table 26D 2021 Homestead Exemptionrevenue.nebraska.gov
09
County
Audit Report of Kearney County, 2019-2020govdocs.nebraska.gov
10
Table of Contentsterc.nebraska.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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