Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the duties of the County Assessor?
- When are property values established?
- How are property values established?
- Why did my value change?
- What should I do if I do not agree with the valuation of my property?
- What is "real property?"
- What is taxable business “personal property”?
- What is a "homestead exemption”?
- What is a religious or charitable exemption?
- How is agricultural land valued?
- What is a "Greenbelt?"
- How are taxes calculated?
What are the duties of the County Assessor?
The County Assessor is an elected official who is responsible for identifying, locating, and fairly valuing all property, both real and personal, within the county. The Assessor’s office does not levy taxes and does not create the market value of your property. People create the value by buying and selling real estate in Douglas County. A partial list of Assessor duties established by Nebraska law:
- Administer the assessment statutes of state law.
- Establish and maintain fair and equitable value on all real and personal property within the county.
- Attend all meetings of the County Board of Equalization.
- Review all applications for religious, charitable and educational tax exemptions.
- Maintain cadastral records (i.e. parcel maps) on all property in the county.
- Maintain property characteristic records for all real estate parcels in the county.
- Prepare abstract of value and certification of taxes levied for the State Property Tax Administrator.
When are property values established?
All property values are established on the assessment date of January 1 each year.
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How are property values established?
The Douglas County Assessor maintains valuation for all real estate parcels in the county. The Assessor’s office uses acceptable appraisal methods and standards to arrive at estimates of market value if your home were on the market for sale. By law, commercial properties must be valued at 92 to 100-percent of market value, the likely price a property would sell for in the current real estate market.
Why did my value change?
- Property values can change for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
- Addition of new improvements.
- Remodel or rehabilitation of existing improvements.
- Destruction or removal of improvements.
- Fluctuations in current market trends and conditions.
- Positive or adverse outside influences upon the property.
- An order for value increases mandated by State Government.
What should I do if I do not agree with the valuation of my property?
First, contact the Assessor's office and explain your concerns. If you are not satisfied with your value after visiting with the Assessor's office, you may file a Property Valuation Protest with the Douglas County Board of Equalization (BOE). Forms are available in the office of the Douglas County Clerk or can be downloaded from the BOE website. The Property Valuation Protest form can be filed during a 30-day period beginning June 1. If you are dissatisfied with the BOE‘s decision, you may appeal that decision to the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC).
Click here to go to Board of Equilization (BOE) webpage
Click here to go to Tax Equilization and Review Commission (TERC) webpage
What is "real property?"
Real property includes all lots and land, buildings, fixtures and improvements and mobile homes that are used for residential, office, commercial or agricultural purposes.
Click here for Nebraska State Guide on Real Property Assessment & Taxation
What is taxable business "personal property?"
Personal property is defined as tangible, depreciable income producing property including machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures.
A Nebraska personal property tax return must be filed by:
- Anyone who owns or holds any taxable, tangible personal property on January 1, 12:01 a.m. of each year.
- Anyone who leases personal property to another person.
- Anyone who leases personal property from another person.
Click here to go to Business Personal Property webpage
What is a "homestead exemption?"
A homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the valuation of a home from taxation. The State of Nebraska reimburses the counties and other government subdivisions for the taxes lost due to homestead exemptions.
Homestead applications must be made annually after February 1 and no later than June 30. Assessor staff and volunteers will visit various homestead assistance remote sites throughout the county each year on specific dates and times during April, May and June.
Click here to go to Homestead Exemption webpage
What is a religious or charitable exemption?
An organization which is the owner of real or tangible personal property, or licensed motor vehicles, and is seeking a property tax exemption may file for an exemption if:
1. The property is owned by and used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural societies; or,
2. The property is:
- Owned by educational, religious, charitable or cemetery organizations;
- Used exclusively for educational, religious, charitable or cemetery purposes;
- Not owned or used for financial gain or profit to either the owner or user;
- Not used for the sale of alcoholic beverages for more than 20 hours per week; and
- Not owned or used by an organization which discriminates in membership or employment based on race, color or national origin.
Important: When an organization acquires or converts property to exempt use after January 1 but on or before August 1 of that year, the organization must file an Exemption Application with the Assessor, on or before August 1.
Click here for Nebraska State Guide Charitable Exemptions
How is agricultural land valued?
The theory of valuation for agricultural or horticultural land is no different than any other property. But the Nebraska Constitution allows that agricultural and horticultural land may be valued lower than 100-percent of market value. State statute currently mandates agricultural or horticultural land must be assessed at 75-percent of its fair market value.
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What is a "Greenbelt?"
Greenbelt is defined as agricultural land which may be valued without regard to market influences that cause the value to be inflated to an amount exceeding its agricultural value. This procedure allows property owners who wish to continue the agribusiness nature of their property to do so without the value of their property being inflated by residential or commercial development.
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How are taxes calculated?
The County Assessor is Not Responsible for Establishing the Tax Rate. Tax rates are set as a result of budgeting done by each local government unit with taxing authority. These include school districts, community colleges, cities and county governments, natural resource districts and other local authorities. All these budget requirements are totaled and the amount is divided by the total assessed value of property for that government subdivision to establish its tax rate. Rates are stated as a percent or amount due for each $100 of assessed value. The Douglas County Assessor does not determine the amount of taxes collected, but is responsible for finding the fair value for your property, so that you and your neighbors only pay your fair share toward needed services like educating our children and protecting us from crime.
Click here for Douglas County Tax Information
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