Nebraska Vehicle Tax and License Calculator
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Nebraska taxes a car purchase at 5.5% state sales tax plus your local rate, for 5.5% to 7.5% in total. You pay it to your county treasurer within 30 days, not to the dealer. Every year you also pay a motor vehicle tax based on the car’s original MSRP, plus a $15 registration fee and small state fees.
Use this Nebraska vehicle tax calculator to estimate the sales tax, motor vehicle tax and license fees on a new or used car. The guide below explains each charge and shows the math.
Checked against the Nebraska DMV fee pages and tax chart and the Nebraska Department of Revenue (local rates effective July 1, 2026, with no changes on October 1, 2026) on October 13, 2026. This is an independent estimate. Your county treasurer sets the final amount.
Nebraska Car Tax and License Fees at a Glance
| Charge | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| State sales tax | 5.5% | Once, within 30 days of purchase |
| Local sales tax | 0% to 2% (plus 0.5% in Dakota County) | Once, based on where you live |
| Tire fee | $1 per new tire | New tires sold with the vehicle |
| Motor vehicle tax | Set by MSRP and age | Every year until year 14 |
| Motor vehicle fee | $5 to $30 | Every year |
| Registration fee | $15 | Every year |
| State and county registration fees | $5.50 | Every year |
| Plates | $4.10 per plate | When new plates are issued |
| Title | $10, or $17 with a lien | Once |
| EV / plug-in hybrid fee | $150 / $75 | Every year |
On this page15 sections
- Nebraska Car Tax and License Fees at a Glance
- How Nebraska Car Sales Tax Works
- How Much Is Car Sales Tax in Nebraska?
- Nebraska Motor Vehicle Tax and Fee
- Nebraska Registration, Plate and Title Fees
- Worked Examples
- Nebraska EV and Plug-In Hybrid Fees
- Private Sales and Gifts in Nebraska
- Moving to Nebraska or Buying Out of State
- How to Use a Vehicle Tax and License Calculator for Nebraska by Hand
- What This Estimate Includes
- What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
How Nebraska Car Sales Tax Works
Sales tax = (price − trade-in − rebate applied at sale) × (5.5% + your local rate)
Nebraska dealers don’t collect the sales tax. They list it on your invoice and give you Form 6, the Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement. You pay the tax to the county treasurer within 30 days of the purchase date. After that, penalty and interest are added.
The local rate depends on where you live. Nebraska is unusual here, but not alone in going its own way: Iowa charges a one-time fee for new registration instead of sales tax, and South Dakota uses a flat 4% excise tax.
Nebraska local sales tax rates
| Where you live | Local rate | Total rate |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 1.5% | 7% |
| Bellevue | 1.5% | 7% |
| Kearney | 1.5% | 7% |
| Lincoln | 1.75% | 7.25% |
| Grand Island | 2% | 7.5% |
| Outside a taxing city (no county tax) | 0% | 5.5% |
Rates are from the Nebraska Department of Revenue list effective July 1, 2026. Dakota County adds a 0.5% county tax. Check your address on the department’s rate list.
Does a trade-in lower the tax?
Yes. The trade-in allowance comes off the price before tax. It counts for a motor vehicle, motorboat, ATV or UTV you trade in.
Do rebates lower the tax?
It depends on timing. A manufacturer rebate used to lower the price at the sale reduces the taxable amount. A rebate check the manufacturer mails you later doesn’t.
What is the tire fee?
Nebraska charges $1 for each new tire sold with a vehicle. On a new car with four new tires, that’s $4, paid along with the sales tax.
How Much Is Car Sales Tax in Nebraska?
| Taxable price | At 5.5% | At 7% (Omaha) | At 7.25% (Lincoln) | At 7.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $1,100 | $1,400 | $1,450 | $1,500 |
| $30,000 | $1,650 | $2,100 | $2,175 | $2,250 |
| $40,000 | $2,200 | $2,800 | $2,900 | $3,000 |
| $50,000 | $2,750 | $3,500 | $3,625 | $3,750 |
So a $30,000 car costs $2,100 in sales tax in Omaha and $2,175 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Motor Vehicle Tax and Fee
The motor vehicle tax is a yearly tax that replaced personal property tax on cars. It’s based on the car’s MSRP when new, not what you paid. Each MSRP range has a fixed base tax, and you pay a shrinking share of it as the car ages. By year 14, it’s zero.
Motor vehicle tax = base tax for your MSRP × the percentage for the car’s registration year
| MSRP when new | Base tax | MSRP when new | Base tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 to $3,999 | $25 | $30,000 to $31,999 | $500 |
| $4,000 to $5,999 | $35 | $34,000 to $35,999 | $580 |
| $6,000 to $7,999 | $45 | $40,000 to $41,999 | $700 |
| $8,000 to $9,999 | $60 | $50,000 to $51,999 | $900 |
| $10,000 to $11,999 | $100 | $60,000 to $61,999 | $1,100 |
| $20,000 to $21,999 | $300 | $100,000 and over | $1,900 |
From $10,000 up, the base tax rises $40 for every $2,000 of MSRP. The DMV’s full chart lists every range.
| Registration year | Share of base tax | On a $580 base |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 100% | $580 |
| Year 2 | 90% | $522 |
| Year 3 | 80% | $464 |
| Year 4 | 70% | $406 |
| Year 5 | 60% | $348 |
| Year 6 | 51% | $295.80 |
| Year 7 | 42% | $243.60 |
| Year 8 | 33% | $191.40 |
| Year 9 | 24% | $139.20 |
| Years 10 and 11 | 15% | $87 |
| Years 12 and 13 | 7% | $40.60 |
| Year 14 and older | 0% | $0 |
Nebraska also charges a smaller motor vehicle fee. For cars, SUVs and light trucks, it’s $5 a year if the MSRP was under $20,000. It’s $20 (years 1 to 5), $14 (years 6 to 10) or $7 (year 11 on) for $20,000 to $39,999, and $30, $21 or $10.50 for $40,000 and up.
Neighbors handle this differently. Colorado’s specific ownership tax also drops with age, while Kansas collects county property tax based on value and local mill levies.
Nebraska Registration, Plate and Title Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration fee (passenger and leased vehicles) | $15 a year |
| Emergency medical system fee | $0.50 a year |
| DMV cash fund fee | $2 a year |
| State recreation road fee | $1.50 a year |
| County fee | $1.50 a year ($5 for nonresidents) |
| Plate fee | $4.10 per plate, when new plates are issued |
| Title fee | $10 |
| Title with a lien noted | $17 |
| Sheriff’s inspection (out-of-state vehicles) | $10 |
Together, the yearly registration pieces add up to $20.50 before the motor vehicle tax and fee. Some localities add their own fees, so check with your county treasurer.
Worked Examples
Example 1: New SUV from an Omaha dealer
Assumptions: $36,000 price, $1,500 manufacturer rebate applied at the sale, $10,000 trade-in, four new tires, financed, new plates, MSRP $37,200, Omaha address (7%).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price minus rebate and trade-in | $24,500.00 |
| Sales tax at 7% | $1,715.00 |
| Tire fee (4 × $1) | $4.00 |
| Title with lien | $17.00 |
| Registration + state and county fees | $20.50 |
| Two plates | $8.20 |
| Motor vehicle tax (base $620, year 1) | $620.00 |
| Motor vehicle fee | $20.00 |
| Estimated total | $2,404.70 |
Example 2: Private sale in Lincoln
You buy a 2019 sedan from a private seller for $15,000. Its MSRP was $28,500, and 2026 is its eighth registration year. You need new plates.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sales tax at 7.25% | $1,087.50 |
| Title | $10.00 |
| Registration + state and county fees | $20.50 |
| Two plates | $8.20 |
| Motor vehicle tax ($460 base × 33%) | $151.80 |
| Motor vehicle fee | $14.00 |
| Estimated total | $1,292.00 |
Nebraska EV and Plug-In Hybrid Fees
Nebraska charges a yearly alternative fuel fee at first registration and at each renewal:
- $150 for battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars and trucks
- $75 for plug-in hybrid cars and trucks
- No fee for regular hybrids without a plug
EVs pay the same sales tax, motor vehicle tax and registration fees as gas cars.
Private Sales and Gifts in Nebraska
A private sale is taxed at the same state and local rates. The seller gives you a bill of sale or a completed Form 6, and you pay the tax to the county treasurer within 30 days, along with the title fee.
A true gift isn’t taxed if the giver paid tax when they bought the car. But if you take over a loan on a gifted car, the loan balance is taxed. A sale for money between relatives is generally taxed, so ask your county treasurer whether your transfer fits one of the exemptions listed on Form 6.
Moving to Nebraska or Buying Out of State
New residents have 30 days to get a Nebraska title and registration. First, the car needs a sheriff’s inspection ($10), then you apply for the title ($10, or $17 with a lien) at your county motor vehicle office.
If you buy a car out of state and register it in Nebraska, you owe Nebraska tax to the county treasurer. Sales tax you paid to a state that has reciprocity with Nebraska is credited. Bring the bill of sale showing the tax paid.
See also: Utah: a 4.85% state rate, local tax and an age-based yearly fee.
See also: Idaho: one 6% rate and registration based on vehicle age.
See also: Wyoming: a 4% state sales tax plus local taxes.
How to Use a Vehicle Tax and License Calculator for Nebraska by Hand
- Take the price and subtract your trade-in and any rebate applied at the sale.
- Multiply by 5.5% plus your local rate.
- Add $1 for each new tire.
- Find the base tax for the car’s MSRP and multiply by the percentage for its registration year.
- Add the motor vehicle fee ($5 to $30).
- Add $20.50 in registration fees and $8.20 for new plates.
- Add the $10 title ($17 with a lien) and $150 or $75 for an EV or plug-in hybrid.
What This Estimate Includes
- 5.5% state and local sales tax
- Trade-in and rebate treatment
- Yearly motor vehicle tax and fee by MSRP
- EV and plug-in hybrid fees
What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Registration, plate and title fees (shown as a note, not added)
- Tire fee and sheriff’s inspection
- Local fees some areas add
- Specialty plates, insurance and loan costs
- Late penalties and interest
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting the dealer to collect the tax. You pay it to the county treasurer.
- Waiting past 30 days. Penalty and interest start after that.
- Using the purchase price for the motor vehicle tax. It’s based on MSRP when new.
- Subtracting a mailed rebate. Only a rebate applied at the sale lowers the tax.
- Forgetting it’s yearly. The motor vehicle tax comes back every year until year 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is sales tax on a car in Nebraska?
It’s 5.5% state tax plus your local rate, for 5.5% to 7.5% in total. Omaha is 7% and Lincoln is 7.25%.
How do I use a Nebraska vehicle sales tax calculator?
Enter the price, your trade-in, any rebate applied at the sale and your local rate. Then add the motor vehicle tax, registration and title fees.
- How is the Nebraska motor vehicle tax calculated?
Find the base tax for the car’s MSRP, then multiply by the percentage for its age, from 100% in year 1 to 0% in year 14.
- How much does it cost to register a car in Nebraska?
The fixed fees are $15 plus $5.50 in state and county fees each year, plus $4.10 per new plate. The motor vehicle tax and fee are added on top and depend on MSRP and age.
How much is a title in Nebraska?
A Nebraska title costs $10, or $17 if a lien is noted.
What is the Nebraska EV fee?
It’s $150 a year for battery electric cars and $75 a year for plug-in hybrids.
Official Sources
- Nebraska DMV: Registration Fees and Taxes
- Nebraska DMV: Motor Vehicle Tax and Fee Chart
- Nebraska DMV: New to Nebraska
- Nebraska Department of Revenue: Sales and Use Tax
- Nebraska Department of Revenue: Local Sales and Use Tax Rates, July 1, 2026
- Nebraska Department of Revenue: Form 6, Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement
- Nebraska Administrative Code 316-1-020: Motor Vehicles
This page is an independent estimate tool and guide. It isn’t affiliated with the Nebraska DMV, the Department of Revenue or any county treasurer. Rates and fees can change, so confirm your total with your county treasurer.
William researches vehicle taxes, title fees, registration charges and DMV requirements across the United States. His work focuses on turning state-specific fee schedules, tax guidance, registration requirements and statutory information into practical explanations for vehicle buyers and owners. He cross-checks calculator inputs against official state revenue departments, motor vehicle agencies and published fee schedules, paying particular attention to differences between sales tax, title fees, registration charges and local or county taxes. He also reviews state-level changes so that calculator results and supporting articles reflect the latest available requirements rather than relying on outdated third-party estimates.
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