Nebraska sales tax at a glance
Nebraska's typical combined rate of 6.98% ranks 28th highest among the 50 states.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 6.98%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.75 | $26.75 |
| $100 | $6.98 | $106.98 |
| $500 | $34.90 | $534.90 |
| $2,000 | $139.60 | $2,139.60 |
Nebraska vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Nebraska's 6.98% is 0.32 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $96 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 4.55%, that shapes how Nebraska funds itself — see the Nebraska paycheck calculator for the payroll side.
Border shopping is real: here's what the same purchases cost across state lines, at each state's average combined rate.
| State | Combined rate | Tax on $250 | Tax on $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 6.98% | $17.45 | $2,094 |
| Wyoming | 5.39% | $13.48 | $1,617 |
| South Dakota | 6.11% | $15.28 | $1,833 |
| Iowa | 6.94% | $17.35 | $2,082 |
| Colorado | 7.89% | $19.73 | $2,367 |
| Missouri | 8.44% | $21.10 | $2,532 |
| Kansas | 8.71% | $21.78 | $2,613 |
Vehicle purchases are usually taxed by the state where the car is registered, not where it's bought — so the car column shows the rate you'd owe as a resident, not a border-shopping opportunity.
Reading a Nebraska receipt
A Nebraska receipt typically shows tax as a single line at the combined rate, even though the money is split between the state and one or more local jurisdictions. To check a receipt: multiply the taxable subtotal by 0.0698 (the 6.98% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 7.5%; if lower, some items were exempt (groceries and prescriptions are exempt or reduced in most states). The reverse mode on the calculator above recovers the pre-tax price from any total.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the sales tax in Nebraska in 2026?
Nebraska's state sales tax is 5.5%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 1.48% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 6.98% — and up to 7.5% in the highest-tax localities.
+How do I calculate Nebraska sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 6.98%, a $106.98 total means a $100.00 price and $6.98 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Nebraska sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Nebraska sales tax based on your delivery address — the same state and local rate you'd pay in a store.
+How much is sales tax on a $30,000 car in Nebraska?
About $2,094 at the 6.98% average combined rate ($1,650 at the 5.5% state rate alone). Vehicle tax is generally assessed by your state of registration and collected when you title the car; some states cap or exempt private-party sales.
+How does Nebraska's sales tax compare nationally?
Nebraska's 6.98% average combined rate ranks 28th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Nebraska?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 5.5% (state only) up to about 7.5%. Use a recent receipt or your state revenue department's lookup for your exact address.
Rates as of July 1, 2026, from state revenue departments compiled by the Tax Foundation; local averages are population-weighted. Product exemptions (groceries, clothing, medicine) vary by state. Estimates only — see our terms.