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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Scotts Bluff County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Scotts Bluff 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
Approximately 0.6745% effective rate, varies significantly by taxing district and location within county
1st Due
Dec 31
2nd Due
Apr 30
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Scotts Bluff County property taxes fund essential local services including schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. The county operates under Nebraska's property tax system, where taxes are levied based on assessed valuations as of January 1st each year, with levy rates set by October 15th.

The effective property tax rate in Scotts Bluff County is approximately 0.6745% of assessed value for the 2025 levy year, though this varies significantly by location within the county. Your actual tax rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your property, including school districts, natural resources districts, community college districts, and various municipal or rural fire districts. Properties within city limits typically have different rates than rural properties due to additional municipal levies and different school district boundaries.

Property owners should note that Nebraska assesses real estate at 100% of actual value, and most property tax credits require annual application and are not automatically applied to your tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100Description
County General~0.20Basic county operations, roads, courts
School Districts~0.35-0.45K-12 education funding (varies by district)
Community College~0.08Western Nebraska Community College
Natural Resources~0.02Scotts Bluff County NRD
Municipal (if applicable)~0.15-0.25City services for incorporated areas
Special Districts~0.05-0.10Fire, library, improvement districts

Total Effective Rate: ~0.6745% (67.45 per $100 assessed value)

Rates shown are for the 2025 levy year and vary by specific location within Scotts Bluff County. Rural properties typically have lower rates than urban properties due to fewer special district assessments. Contact the County Assessor at (308) 436-6600 for your specific tax district information.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Scotts Bluff 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 Scotts Bluff County are additional property tax assessments that occur when property changes ownership or undergoes new construction after the January 1st assessment date. These taxes cover the period from the date of change through the end of the current tax year.

When you purchase property or complete new construction, the County Assessor may issue a supplemental assessment if the change results in a higher assessed value than what was originally on the tax roll. The supplemental tax is calculated by applying the current year's tax rate to the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

For example, if you purchase a home in July that was previously assessed at $200,000 but now appraises at $350,000, you would owe supplemental taxes on the $150,000 difference for the 6 remaining months of the tax year. At a 0.6745% rate, this would equal approximately $506 in supplemental taxes ($150,000 × 0.006745 × 6/12 months).

Example Calculation

Property Value: $300,000

  • Assessed Value: $300,000 (100% of market value)
  • Less: Homestead Credit Application: -$0 (if not applied for)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Annual Tax: $300,000 × 0.006745 = $2,023.50
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$169

Property Value: $600,000

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit Application: -$0 (caps future increases if applied)
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Annual Tax: $600,000 × 0.006745 = $4,047.00
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$337

Property Value: $1,000,000

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Available Tax Credits: -$0 (most require annual application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Annual Tax: $1,000,000 × 0.006745 = $6,745.00
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$562

Note: Tax credits require annual application to the County Assessor's office and are not automatically applied. Homestead exemption primarily caps assessment increases rather than reducing current taxes.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax escrow accounts for Scotts Bluff County properties. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments (typically 1/12 of your annual tax bill) and pays your property taxes directly to the County Treasurer on the September 1st and May 1st due dates.

Lenders typically maintain a cushion in your escrow account to cover potential tax increases. They must provide an annual escrow analysis showing how your payments were used and any adjustments needed for the coming year. If your taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly payment will be adjusted accordingly.

You can verify your tax payments by checking with the Scotts Bluff County Treasurer's office at (308) 436-6650 or online through the county's payment portal. Keep copies of your tax statements and escrow analyses, as these are important for tax deduction purposes and refinancing applications.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Scotts Bluff County property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due in two installments: September 1st and May 1st each year. Taxes become delinquent and begin accruing penalties and interest if not paid by these dates.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they apply automatically? A: Most tax credits require annual application to the County Assessor's office, including homestead exemptions for eligible homeowners. These are NOT automatic and must be filed by the specified deadlines to receive benefits.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work in Scotts Bluff County? A: The homestead exemption primarily caps assessment increases rather than reducing your current assessed value. You must apply annually with the County Assessor, and it helps limit how much your assessment can increase from year to year, providing tax stability for qualifying homeowners.

Q: When are properties reassessed in Scotts Bluff County? A: Nebraska law requires properties to be assessed at 100% of actual value as of January 1st each year. The County Assessor reviews market data and may adjust assessments annually based on sales and market conditions.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the County Board of Equalization by June 30th. You can obtain appeal forms from the County Assessor's office at (308) 436-6600. Provide comparable sales data and evidence supporting your claim.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Delinquent taxes accrue interest and penalties from the due dates (September 1st and May 1st). Contact the County Treasurer at (308) 436-6650 for current penalty rates and payment options.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Scotts Bluff County typically offers online payment options through their official website. Contact the County Treasurer's office for current online payment procedures and any associated convenience fees.

Q: Why does my tax rate differ from my neighbor's? A: Tax rates vary based on the special taxing districts that serve your property, including school districts, fire districts, and municipal boundaries. Properties in different districts within Scotts Bluff County can have significantly different total tax rates.

Q: What triggers a supplemental tax assessment? A: Supplemental assessments occur when property changes ownership, undergoes new construction, or receives improvements after the January 1st assessment date that increase the property's value above what was originally assessed for that tax year.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
State
2024-2025 - state of nebraskascottsbluffcountyne.gov
02
PROPERTY VALUATION PROTEST 2025 PLEASE READ ...scottsbluffcountyne.gov
03
Tax Doc
2025 Certificate of Taxes Levied Reports (CTL) as of ...revenue.nebraska.gov
04
Treasurer FAQsscottsbluffcountyne.gov
05
Frequently Asked Questionsscottsbluffcountyne.gov
06
Tax Doc
Nebraska Tax Calendarrevenue.nebraska.gov
07
Site Location and Layoutnrc.gov
08
Minutesboxbuttecountyne.gov
09
Homestead Exemption FAQsscottsbluffcountyne.gov
10
AUDIT REPORT OF SCOTTS BLUFF ...scottsbluffcountyne.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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