Fall is here, harvest is in full swing and school has been in session for almost nine weeks. With harvest in full swing, I want to remind you to be aware of the increase in traffic on the roads due to harvest.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce new staff in my office. After session finished, I went most of the summer with limited staff. Jacki O’Neill, administrative assistant, is still working hard in my office. I would like to introduce my new Legislative Aide, Glenda Ward, who came to work for me on August 1st. She is married to her husband of 28 years, Kevin and she is a former Nebraska music educator. She currently teaches piano lessons to 12 students. She is a welcome addition to my staff and she looks forward to working with me and taking your phone calls.

I would like to take a moment to comment on questions and concerns I have been hearing about Senator Ben Hansen’s Truth in Taxation law that passed in 2021 and went into effect in 2022 (https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Intro/LB644.pdf). This law provides taxpayers a well-defined time and place to let their elected officials know how they feel about plans to raise their property taxes. You should have received a pink postcard in the mail this month stating your property taxes will be raised by more than two percent and there is a public hearing about the increase. Dakota and Wayne Counties were destined to have pink postcards sent while Dixon and Thurston Counties did not meet the threshold for property tax increases.

I am proud to be a part of the Revenue Committee. This past year the Legislature passed the largest tax credit in Nebraska history. “The State of Nebraska’s financial responsibility has made record tax relief possible,” said Gov. Ricketts. “For tax year 2022, the property tax credit rebate on taxes paid to K-12 public schools will grow from 25% to 30%. Nebraska property taxpayers will also be eligible for a new 30% rebate on property taxes paid to community colleges. This relief is especially significant as families deal with historic high inflation. I encourage Nebraskans to make sure they claim all the tax credits they’re eligible to receive.”

I feel a sense of urgency to share with you about this tax credit as only 60% of Nebraskans have taken advantage of this on their taxes. These tax credits are retroactive for the past 3 years and you will need to file an amended tax return in order to claim these tax credits.

There are 2 types of tax credits that you are eligible to receive from LB873 (https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Intro/LB873.pdf). Tier 1 is Property Tax Credit which automatically shows a credit on your property tax statement that you receive in the mail from the assessor’s office. Tier 2 is the Credit Against School Taxes Paid which you have to claim on your tax return. This rebate was 6% in tax year 2020 and 25% in tax year 2021. LB 873 also creates a tax rebate on property taxes paid to community colleges. For tax year 2022, this equates to a 30% rebate. For more information you can go to revenue.nebraska.gov/about/nebraska-property-tax-credit and click on the Nebraska Property Tax Look-up Tool. You receive this credit on parcels you own, but you won’t receive this credit if you are renting a house or live in an apartment. If you know your parcel ID number, you will be able to look up information on the credit you will receive. There are also links on this website for more general information as well as frequently asked questions.

I will not be in the office much in the next few months as harvest is in full swing and my husband will be having surgery in November. I do anticipate many calls from you and my staff will gladly take your calls and inform me of your questions and concerns. Please call (402) 471-2716 or email me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov. Please stay safe and watch for increased traffic on the roads.