**IMPORTANT REMINDER**

The Personal Property filing deadline is May 1st to file without a penalty.  After May 1st there will be a statutory 10% penalty applied and after July 1st, the penalty will be 25%.  This is a filing requirement only.  No taxes are due at this time. You may email (mhladky@sewardcountyne.gov), mail, come into the office, fax (402-643-0243) or e-File on this site.  Please attach you federal depreciation worksheet.  If you have any questions or need assistance, office staff will be happy to help you.  Thank you for getting your schedule filed timely!  

_{^{Homestead Exemption:}}

From February 2, 2025 through June 30, 2025 is the time to sign up for a Homestead Exemption.  If you had an exemption before, you should have received an application in the mail for the 2025 year.  If you would like more informtion or see what the qualifications are, please call the office at 402-643-3311.

 Personal Property: 

All businesses and farmers with income producing equipment need to file a Personal Property schedule with our office.   The office has implemented a new e-File system this year and the county has sent out letters to the current filers about filing.  Call our office if you need assistance.  Thank you.

The new Seward County Property Search and GIS map is now available.

Here is the website:

Property Search Page:  https://schneidergis.co/sewardcone

VALUATION TRIVIA – MYTH OR FACT

• The Assessor change your value for no reason? True or False?
  False
  
  

• Does the Assessor set what your taxes are going to be? True or False?
  False   -  The Assessor sets valuation as of January 1^st each year.  The tax rates are set by October 20^th each year.  The taxing entities that use your tax dollars establish what your taxes will be.  The new taxes will be posted after the November 22nd Certification to the Treasurer.
  
  

• Who controls the valuation process in the State of Nebraska?
  The Assessor’s practices are governed by laws passed by the Nebraska Legislature.  The State of Nebraska, Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division oversees the Assessors. 
  
  

• Why did my valuation change/increase this year?
  a) If your property was due for the 6-year inspection and reappraisal. State Statute 77-1311.03.
  
  b) A change in your property due to a building permit, removal of buildings, reported and unreported changes. Agricultural changes such as dry to irrigated, etc.
  
  c) A change in the market. This is dictated by the sellers and buyers in the market.  Property values in relationship to the selling prices.
  
  

• Will my valuation ever decrease? 
  Yes, if the market (the selling prices of homes) decreases.  It does not happen overnight since there are 2 years of sales in the study period required to be used for analysis by the State.
  
  

• If that’s what the house sold for, isn’t that what it’s worth?
  Not necessarily.  The sale price is an indicator of market value…but not exact “Proof” of market value.  Sale prices for property reflect the fact that some buyers are better negotiators than others are, some are more educated about the local market than others are, or some may have quick money to spend.  The Assessor uses sale prices to develop a mass appraisal model, which establishes the “most probable” selling price in individual properties in the entire area.  An appraisal is only an estimate of value.  Professionally accepted mass appraisal standards highlight that the market differs from a single sale price, and that the price a property brings today is not likely the same price it will bring tomorrow because of market variability.
  
  

• What happens if the Assessor does not change values to reflect what the market is doing? 
  If the Assessor is out of compliance with the required statistics, the State’s Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC) will adjust the county’s values for the Assessor so they are compliant.
  

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Assessor’s Office and ask.  Thank you.

To learn more about the valuation process in Nebraska, please watch the short video prepared by Nebraska Association of County Officals titled:  Nebraska County Assessors.

DISCLAIMER:  This legal description should not be used to prepare legal documents.  Please verify legal descriptions with the County Clerk's office.  Thank you.