Overview
This calculator applies your actual city's combined rate and the trade-in credit. Note that sales tax is entirely separate from Nebraska's motor vehicle tax - the annual, MSRP-bracket charge collected alongside your registration - which our tax-title-license and registration calculators handle.
01 - Official fees
Nebraska car sales tax fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State rate | 5.5% | applies statewide, no exceptions |
| Omaha local add-on | 1.5% | 7% combined |
| Lincoln local add-on | 1.75% | 7.25% combined |
| Bellevue / Gretna / Springfield | 1.5% | 7% combined |
| Papillion / La Vista | 2.0% | 7.5% combined |
| Trade-in credit | Full value | taxed on price minus trade-in |
| New tire fee | $1.00 each | on new tires sold with the vehicle |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county treasurer (Nebraska DMV) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Nebraska vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Nebraska car sales tax FAQ
How much sales tax will I pay on a car in Nebraska?
5.5% of the taxable price everywhere in the state, plus whatever your city adds - 1.5% in Omaha (7% total), 1.75% in Lincoln (7.25% total), or nothing extra in most rural counties. On a $25,000 car with no trade-in, that's $1,375 in Lincoln versus $1,375 wait - actually $1,812.50 in Lincoln versus $1,375 in a no-local county.
Does trading in my old car lower the tax?
Yes - Nebraska taxes price minus trade-in allowance under Department of Revenue Reg-1-029. Trade a $6,000 vehicle against a $29,000 purchase in Lincoln and you're taxed on $23,000, not $29,000, saving about $435.
What's this tire fee I noticed on my paperwork?
Nebraska charges a $1 fee per new tire (including the spare) whenever new tires are sold with a motor vehicle, reported on the same Form 6 used for sales tax. It funds the state's waste-tire recycling program - a small, separate line, not a sales tax.
I bought from a private seller - how do I pay the tax?
You complete Form 6 yourself (the seller isn't a licensed retailer) and bring it to the county treasurer, DMV, or designated county official within 30 days along with payment. There's no dealer to collect it for you.
Is there a discount for buying a used car versus new?
No - Nebraska's sales tax rate is identical for new and used vehicles, and there's no separate 'used car' schedule like some states use. The only variable is your local city rate and any trade-in credit.
Are any vehicle sales exempt from Nebraska sales tax?
Yes - qualifying gifts and inherited vehicles where the donor already paid Nebraska tax, sales to certain nonprofits and government entities, and a handful of agricultural and disability-related exemptions. See our gift-a-car page for the gift/inheritance rule specifically.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.