The Homestead exemption program is a program worth exploring. If you qualify you may eliminate property taxes on your home! Consult your accountant or Lancaster County to see if you qualify.
In Lancaster County, Nebraska, the homestead exemption is a property tax relief program designed to assist qualifying homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or low-income. It allows eligible individuals to exempt a portion of their property’s value from taxation, thereby reducing their overall property tax liability. The amount of the exemption can vary based on income, age, and disability status. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria and apply by the designated deadline. This program aims to help residents retain their homes and ease financial burdens.
More details about this program can be found below, or visit: https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/1382/Homestead-Exemptions
Homestead Exemptions
The Nebraska Homestead Exemption program is a property tax relief program that reduces all or a portion of taxes for homeowners in Nebraska who occupy a home, used as their primary residence, from January 1 through August 15. Qualifying categories include:
1. Persons over age 65 (must be 65 before January 1 of the application year);
2. Veterans totally disabled by a nonservice-connected accident or illness;
3. Qualified disabled individuals;
4V. Qualified totally permanent disabled veterans;
4S. Unremarried surviving spouse of a Category 4V veteran or surviving spouse of a Category 4V veteran who remarries after attaining the age of fifty-seven years;
5. Veterans whose homes are substantially contributed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and their surviving spouses;
6. Individuals who have a developmental disability; and
7. Qualified totally temporary disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
There are income limits and homestead value requirements for categories 1, 2, 3 and 6. The income limits are on a sliding scale. There are no income limits and homestead value requirements for categories 4V, 4S, 5, and 7.
The Nebraska Department of Revenue sets the annual income and value limits in early February of each year. Income and value information, as well as other general information about homestead exemptions, is available on the NE Department of Revenue website.
Application Forms
Homestead exemption applications must be filed annually between February 2 and June 30.
Application forms are typically available beginning February 2. The Assessor/Register of Deeds office will mail pre-printed forms and a copy of the State’s income and value limits to previous filers in February. It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure the application and required Schedules and to timely file them with the Assessor/Register of Deeds. Failure to timely file the properly completed application will constitute a waiver of the homestead exemption for that year.
Homestead Exemption Application Form
Form 458 Schedule I (income statement)
When you file a homestead exemption application, you will need the following income information (if applicable):
- Federal income tax return (if filed, Form 1040)
- Social security (Form SSA-1099)
- Pension and annuities (Form 1099-R)
- Interest and dividends (Form 1099-INT, Form 1099-DIV, Form 1099-OID)
- Railroad retirement (Tier I – RRB-1099 and Tier II – RRB-1099-R)
- IRA distributions (Form 1099-R)
NOTE: Married applicants must report income for both spouses. Additional owner/occupants must each file a separate income statement.
Applicants can deduct certain out-of-pocket medical expenses from their income. Examples of deductible medical expenses include:
- Medicare insurance premiums
- Medicare prescription drug plan premiums
- Supplemental health insurance premiums
- Cancer insurance policy premiums
- Nursing home insurance policy premiums
- Payments to hospitals or licensed nursing care facilities
- Payments to doctors, dentists, nurses, chiropractors and other licensed medical practitioners
- Payments for medical equipment (i.e., crutches, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, etc.)
Contact Information
If you need an application or have questions regarding a homestead exemption, please contact the Assessor/Register of Deeds Office at assessor@lancaster.ne.gov or 402-441-7463.
Applications can be hand-delivered or mailed to:
Lancaster County Assessor/Register of Deeds
555 S. 10th Street, Room 102
Lincoln, NE 68508
IMPORTANT: Since homestead exemption application forms contain personally identifiable and/or confidential information such as social security numbers, birth dates, medical information, etc., we strongly recommend that you submit these forms by regular mail or in person.
