Stephanie Croston

    Seward County landowners will see a "tax credit" line on their property tax statements this year, but that doesn't mean taxes have gone down.
     Tax amounts are based on the value of property, and in some cases, that has gone up, County Assessor Marilyn Hladky said.
     "Taxes are still dependent on valuation, which is a percent of market," Hladky said.
     The state of Nebraska set the tax credit amount based on "the valuation of each parcel of real property compared to the valuation of all real property in the state," a Sept. 14 letter from Ruth Sorensen, property tax administrator, said.
     The state set aside $105 million for 2007 and $115 million for 2008 to be used for property tax relief. Each property owner will receive a credit of $83.22 per $100,000 of valuation on 2007 and 2008 real estate taxes.
     Hladky said the tax statements will be sent in early December.
     The tax credit only applies to real property; it does not count toward personal property. State-assessed properties like the railroad and gas lines will also receive the credit.
     If a parcel has no property tax assessed, the tax credit will be returned to the state as unused.
     Homestead exemptions that show a balance will also receive the credit, Hladky said.
     The credits will not affect government subdivisions and their budgeting authority, Hladky said. The state will send a check to the county treasurer for the $1.1 million the county will receive in tax credits.
     According to information from the Nebraska Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division, Seward County has $1.3 billion in real property eligible for the credits.
     In addition, railroads have $19.5 million in land and public service companies have $1.4 million.