Sales Tax in Kearney, Nebraska in 2025

We'll walk you through how the sales tax rate is determined for Kearney and address some common questions you may have. We'll also cover how to collect, audit, and remit sales tax in Kearney.

Plus, we’ll share the best solution that will ensure you are always compliant across the entire sales tax lifecycle.

Disclaimer: Our sales tax data is updated on a quarterly basis.

Kearney Sales Tax Rate 2025

Kearney is located in Buffalo County in Nebraska, United States, and has a sales tax rate of 7.00%. This includes local and state sales tax rates.

Here is the breakdown of the Kearney's sales tax:

This rate applies to the following zip codes in Kearney:

How Does the Kearney Sales Tax Compare to the Rest of Nebraska?

Kearney’s 7.00% sales tax rate is among some of the highest sales tax rates in Nebraska. It is only 0.50% lower than Nebraska’s highest rate, which is 7.50% in places like Chappell.

Kearney’s rate is 1.50% higher than Nebraska’s lowest sales tax, which stands at 5.50% in places like Miller Village.

To give you a better idea, here’s a comparison of Kearney sales tax rates with a few other cities in Nebraska:

You can also compare the sales tax rate of Kearney against the Nebraska cities closest in population size:

• Bellevue's sales tax rate is 7.00%
• Grand Island's sales tax rate is 7.50%

What Creates Sales Tax Nexus in Kearney?

Kearney has the same sales tax nexus rules as Nebraska. It doesn’t have any special sales tax nexus rules of its own.

Read More: Check out this detailed guide on Sales Tax in Nebraska.

If you meet any of these conditions, you’ll have sales tax nexus in Kearney:

• Physical nexus: Businesses with an office, place of distribution, sales or sample room or place, warehouse, storage place, or other place of business in this state. 
• Employees: Companies with representatives, agents, salespersons, facilitators, or solicitors working in Nebraska under the retailer's or its subsidiary's authority to sell, deliver, or take orders for any property in the state.
• Economic nexus: Marketplace facilitators and remote sellers with over $100,000 in sales or more than 200 transactions in the state.

Learn more about sales tax nexus and when you’re required to collect sales tax.

What Products Are Exempt from Kearney Sales Tax?

Kearney doesn't have any special exemptions and follows the same sales tax rules as Nebraska.

The following items are exempt from sales tax in Kearney:

• Medicine and medical equipment, like prosthetic devices. 
• Newspapers issued at least once a week. 
• Feminine hygiene products
• Food or food ingredients for human consumption. Prepared food and food sold through vending machines are taxable.

Who Needs a Sales Permit in Kearney?

You’re required to collect sales tax from Kearney customers on any taxable sales, leases, rentals, installations, applications, repairs, or maintenance of tangible personal property.

How to Collect Sales Tax in Kearney

Nebraska is a destination-based sales tax sourcing state. The same applies to Kearney.

This means that for any taxable retail sale to a customer in Nebraska, you must calculate and apply the sales tax rate based on the buyer’s shipping address.

Learn more about origin-based and destination-based sales tax sourcing here.

How to File and Pay Sales Tax in Kearney

You can file Kearney sales tax returns using the following methods:

• Automated: Let Zamp handle your Nebraska sales tax filing and remittance so you won’t have to deal with sales tax returns ever again.
• Online: You can file Form 10 online at the Nebraska Revenue Website.

About the author

Zamp Team

The Zamp Team consists of experienced writers and editors who are dedicated to researching sales tax topics to help readers make smart decisions about their business and sales tax compliance. Collectively, the team has over 200 years of sales tax experience.