Nebraska Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
Nebraska has a 5.5% state sales tax, and many cities add their own local tax on top. Omaha adds 1.5% for a combined 7%, and Lincoln 1.75% for 7.25%. The statewide average sits at 6.94%. Groceries are exempt from Nebraska's sales tax, so grocery receipts will show no tax.
The calculator defaults to Nebraska's 6.94% average. For Omaha use 7%, Lincoln 7.25%, Grand Island 7.5%. Rural areas with no local tax stay at 5.5%. Grocery purchases are tax-exempt — the rate only matters for taxable retail goods.
Current Nebraska Sales Tax Rates
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State rate | 5.50% |
| Average local rate | 1.44% |
| Average combined rate | 6.94% |
| Location | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Omaha | 7.00% |
| Lincoln | 7.25% |
| Bellevue | 7.00% |
| Grand Island | 7.50% |
What's Taxable in Nebraska
Nebraska exempts most groceries from sales tax. Unprepared food sold at grocery stores is not subject to the 5.5% state rate or local additions. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed at the full combined rate. Prescription drugs are exempt.
Worked Example
Purchase in Omaha totaling $85.99 at 7.00%.
$85.99 ÷ 1.0700 = $80.36 (pre-tax price)
$85.99 − $80.36 = $5.63 (tax amount)
That's $5.63 in sales tax on a $80.36 purchase before tax. The main calculator handles this automatically — enter the total and rate and the breakdown appears instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Omaha's combined rate is 7% — Nebraska's 5.5% state rate plus a 1.5% city sales tax. Lincoln's combined rate is 7.25% (5.5% state + 1.75% city). Grand Island runs at 7.5%.
No. Nebraska exempts unprepared groceries from sales tax. Most food purchased at a grocery store is tax-free. Prepared food — restaurant meals, hot bar items — is taxed at the full combined rate. Prescription drugs are also exempt.
Divide the total amount paid by (1 + the tax rate as a decimal). For Nebraska's 6.94% rate: divide by 1.0694. The result is the pre-tax price. Subtract that from the total to get the tax amount. The calculator on this page does this automatically.
Nebraska does not have a general sales tax holiday.