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Sarpy County tables state-driven homestead tax corrections after residents report unexplained bills
Summary
After several residents described abrupt reductions in homestead exemptions and proposed tax bills, the Sarpy County board voted to table approval of Department of Revenue tax corrections until June 2 to allow state and staff follow-up; taxpayers were advised to protest to the Nebraska Department of Revenue and to document communications.
The Sarpy County Board of Equalization on April 28 voted to table approval of state-initiated tax corrections tied to homestead exemptions after multiple residents described unexpected bills and a lack of explanation from the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
Dan Pittman, Sarpy County assessor, told the board the corrections (listed on the agenda as ranges including 17785E2809317910 and 17914E2809317916) derived from a state audit in which the Department of Revenue compared homestead-exemption filings with IRS income records and in some cases adjusted percentages used to calculate the exemption.
Several residents told the board they had received little or no explanation about the changes. "I was given 60 days... I never figured out was never told what that change was," said James William "Bill" Moore of Papillion, who said the Department of Revenue reduced two exemptions and that he sent copies of his 2021E280932024 returns to the state. Donna Roten said county staff had filled out a form for her and that she later found a clerical error; she said a notice reducing her exemption to 0% resulted in a $4,374 bill she cannot easily pay.
A county attorney reminded the board that the Department of Revenue makes the percentage determinations for the homestead program and that taxpayers must protest or appeal to the state. Pittman and county staff said the notices the county had received were considered final determinations from the state, though some matters remain in review. Board members acknowledged the county's limited authority but noted state statute requires the board to approve changes to the tax roll even when the adjustment originates with the state.
Commissioners debated whether to approve the corrections immediately, which would start a 30-day payment clock, or to delay to give affected residents time to work with the state. Commissioner Kluge moved to table item 5.2 until June 2, 2026; Commissioner Mixon seconded and the motion passed.
County staff said they would meet with residents after the meeting to collect contact information and attempt to help them navigate the appeals process. Residents were told the immediate procedural step for contesting a Department of Revenue determination is to protest to the Department of Revenue; the county encouraged residents to document all communications and contact their state senator for assistance if the state office is unresponsive.
Next steps: the board will revisit the listed corrections on June 2, 2026, after staff has had additional time to coordinate with the Department of Revenue and the affected taxpayers.
