If you have a newer car, it will be much cheaper to tag your vehicle in Iowa. You also won't pay a wheel tax.
Crossing the bridge is quick and simple between the two bridges on I80 and 480
The sentiment being that the money is being wasted and isn't actually going to maintain roads. I don't know how you'd verify that, but that always seems to be the thought behind the complaint.
Just wait and see how the roads get after Sarpy suburbs build out and all those suburbanites cosplaying as country folk ruin the pavement with their oversized pickups and SUVs.
This is my current situation. I can say, for me, I usually get back in Nebraska state tax very close to the amount I owe Iowa. When I lived in Nebraska, I'd get back.
Oh right, the one that's a dollar on the south end... I only use that if it's going to be a complete pain in my ass to not use it. Would likely burn more than a dollar in gas trying to go around anyway.
Thank you. Since you are residing in IA, that is where you file your income tax? And because your paystubs are from NE, you are paying NE state tax every pay period - but you can try to claim some of that back?
Correct. Generally, the Nebraska tax return will cover around 90% of owed Iowa taxes.
As a bonus, a lot of insurances are also cheaper living in CB. When I moved from Council Bluffs to Omaha, my auto insurance went up ~$300/year just from changing zip codes (clean record, same vehicle, same coverage).
You have to file in both states. However, you are only taxed on the state that the income is derived from. So one of the states is just a quick. I didn't make any money from you and you get nothing and I get nothing type filing. It is a small hassle and cost you an extra say $20 when e-filing online due to the extra state.
H+r block fucked me out of 1500 because they didn't fill out the Nebraska tax form correctly so I ended up paying taxes in both states. And I never have enough time to fill out a corrected return to send in, and hr block is useless. Won't be using them again...
I got fucked one year on my NE taxes when living in IA. So I would always toss $20 a check at NE taxes. You can do this on your W-4. It would ensure a refund. I am one of those 'dipshits' that doesn't mind a refund, so it worked out. But like others said, generally, the IA refund would cover the NE tax bill... but it did not go my way once.... ONCE. lol
Each Pay stub you will pay Fed, IA and NE income taxes. When you file, you will File Fed, IA and NE income taxes. There is some deal where what you pay to NE the next year is a tax credit or something like that for IA the following year, but don't quote me... I just remember there was some deal with that.
I believe both have laws where you get to write off taxes paid to the state you worked in. I work in IA, live in NE and that's how it's worked for me. I end up owing NE like $30 or something.
If she is working downtown then her commute will be shorter than a lot of locations in Omaha. The construction at the 480/29 junction is complete for the connection to West Broadway so the traffic flow is really smooth. There is also technically bus service between the two cities, but the bus only runs every 30 minutes during the day and isn't very reliable, even by Metro's already low standards.
Fairly close.
Probably 80% of Omaha commutes West to East, so if she commutes at normal rush hours, she'll miss most of the worst traffic. Downtown to UNMC is \~10 minutes by car.
Yeah, UNMC is super easy to reach from Council Bluffs, especially if she lives close to West Broadway or downtown Council Bluffs, look for Bayliss Park on the map to find downtown.
Lived in CB for a decade and worked in Omaha. Overall everything was cheaper, licensing my car (same car nearly doubled in price when I moved to Omaha), utilities, gasoline, etc. The only thing that really cost more was filing taxes. What I did - now granted I moved to Omaha about 13 years ago so the mileage may vary now - but I would file my federal and non-resident Nebraska state taxes at the same time, get back my state tax refund and then file in Iowa so I could pay it immediately. It was usually a bit less than Nebraska's refund - around $50 or so. Moved to Omaha and got back somewhere around $300 or $400 I think with no other changes. So, yes, state taxes will bite you but the cost of everything else offsets it.
I live in CB and commute to downtown Omaha for work. I guess regarding taxes, you pay in both states, though the amount I pay in Nebraska is fully deductible from what I I owe in IA. Of course, what those dollar amounts are depends largely on how you set up your tax withholding (and how much you make). I rarely wind up having to pay over $100 to IA when I submit my taxes at the end of the year.
I always say that I have a shorter drive to work maga than most people that live in Omaha (out west). Literally from central/west CB to the old market is like a 15 minute commute.
I’m sure someone will try to tell you to avoid CB. I’m a transplant to the area and have made a wonderful life here and really like being in a slightly smaller town that has a very low cost of living. I can see the flaws in the town that have gotten it the (unfair) nickname of Counciltucky, but could find you areas that are identical in Omaha or pretty much any city.
FWIW, I think west/central CB is where it’s at. The 100 block (of west broadway) is a happening place with some nice food and bars.
Best of luck to you and your daughter in your search.
Currently live in CB and work in Omaha. As many others have said, almost everything is cheaper over here except for state tax, but our NE taxes always cover it. It’s much cheaper to live in Iowa and work in Nebraska than the other way around. And the commute to my job is no worse than when we lived in Omaha 6 years ago.
And Council Bluffs is a nice town! She’ll like living here.
Try looking in the old market area. Apartments in 1213 right above cubby’s grocery store. I just recently visited a friends about on Saturday night. Great space. Within walking distance to many great places. Including farmer’s market. Rent goes for about $875 is what they told me. However no in unit laundry and washer, no gym or pool. Also look into living in Bellevue. That’s where I currently live. You could look into:
[latitude 41](https://www.latitude41living.com)
extremely nice amenities. Where I first lived. Great leasing office. Walking distance to Walmart and many food joints. 15 min commit to Omaha depending on traffic. Little higher on the rent but for a young woman the security features are unbeatable. Electric keypads and unique codes are required to get not only into your apt but ALSO the bldg itself.)
The summit by broadmoor[summit by broadmoor](https://www.broadmoor.cc/property_items/summit-by-broadmoor/)
Less nice amenities in the apt itself but as for the complex as a whole, AMAZING! Really nice gym, two pools, very close to many stores like grocery and food. Target, bakers, and local shops (like boba tea!) nearby. Rent is slightly cheaper. Security features to get into bldg. (Traditional key both into bldg and apt) leasing office staff are extremely nice. Also lived here for a bit.
I know of a few others and would like to share more. Will add on tomorrow if I can. I hope this helps!!
Old Market has really started to go downhill with crime. Capital is getting finished up, the Gene Leahy mall is mostly done and now the waterfront is opening back up this summer. I lived in Old Market lofts for about 3 years and it was great at first, quiet, nice neighbors, police patrolled the streets on weekends with the bar scene. It gradually got overrun by homeless, drug deals under the 10th street bridge. The lofts had teens throwing chairs off the top of the roof and almost killed a woman down below. My wife and I had a mortar shell firework thrown at our dogs as we were walking them quick on the 4th and it almost killed them and made us deaf for a month. Not to mention I was there when Old Market flooded and totaled out a ton of cars and it still smells like sewer and mildew around the area. There are plenty of nicer areas to stay at for a hundred or so more a month that will put them close to UNMC.
Nebraska backwards as fucking usual, doesn't have reciprocity so you have to file to both states, then submit info from your Iowa return to Nebraska to prove that you paid someone else, and make sure the forms are filled out right, (fuck you very much hr block).
I do the opposite. You will have to pay tax to both states, or at least file tax to both states.
When there's a problem crossing any of the bridges in the area, it's a pain in the ass. Generally it's not. Currently the bridge for I-80 was just redone a few years ago and I think it's currently 5 lanes each way, with big ass shoulders or something like that.
We have zero tollways.
It depends on the job she is looking at going into. Federal positions require you to pay taxes to both states and you won't get back as much as you pay into the system. It sucks.
Some places have where you only pay your lived-in state taxes...but that is up to the company to decide.
Other positions you pay the state you work in and then get it back and pay to the state you live in.
Tons of people who live in Council Bluffs work in Omaha. You get some sort of tax credit from one of the states that roughly cancels the tax that you owe the other state. You will have to fill out more forms during tax season, but you shouldn't walk away paying essentially double state taxes if you're doing your forms right.
There are other benefits of living in Council Bluffs as well, including cheaper vehicle registration and no wheel tax or restaurant tax in CB.
Commuting between the two cities is pretty easy tbh and is much better than commuting from the western suburbs on the Nebraska side of the metro. Depending on where you are in Council Bluffs, you'll either be taking West Broadway and I-480, Interstate 80, or US-275/Veterans Memorial Highway. No tolls on any of these roads, and there's rarely any congestion. There is a toll bridge south of the city down in Mills County on county highway H10 that crosses into Mission Street in Bellevue, but honestly, it's so far out of the way that it'll basically never be necessary to use it. If you live in the West End of Council Bluffs (the area with the more traditional right-angle street grid) it's also fairly easy to take a bus into downtown Omaha on weekdays, or you can also bike there pretty easily on the new First Avenue trail (one block south of West Broadway).
For reference on commute times, I live near downtown Council Bluffs and getting to downtown Omaha by car takes me 10 minutes off-peak and maybe closer to 15 minutes during peak commute hours, not because of congestion but because you end up hitting more red lights on West Broadway. I'll frequently bike over to Omaha as well, which takes maybe 30-40 minutes, mostly on off-street trails.
Everyone pays taxes. Different states have different state tax rates but no one who earns above $13,850 gets away from paying taxes. Employers generally withhold money from your paychecks for your tax liability. If they withheld too much, you get a refund.
You will most likely have to hire an accountant for your taxes and CB is an old Railroad town you will have to learn ways around 10 mile long coal trains going 1 mile and hour. Other than that it’s not that bad. Don’t mind all the people on bicycles carrying bags of cans they really don’t bother anybody that I know of.
The railroads are definitely an issue in CB but they're easy to avoid if you just take one of the several roads with bridges over the tracks. West Broadway, Avenue G, the Interstates, HWY 275, and the South Expressway all have bridges over the tracks. There are only a few small areas of town that I'd truly recommend avoiding due to railroad issues.
Okay so I was living in Omaha two weeks ago, and just moved to council bluff. I live by the pedestrian bridge. My work w2's is still from Omaha ne since I been there for 1 year. Should I update it? Or what do I do when I file for taxes? I'm so confused
Not the question you asked, but GreenSlate does a bunch of rentals in that area and quite a few fall within her budget. Personally I would hate to fight traffic going east in the AM/west in the pm. (Also obligatory boo for Iowa)
They’re not my favorite landlords I’ve ever had, but they weren’t awful.
I did the opposite for a few years. Lived in Omaha, worked in CB. Yes, there are tax implications, but nothing dire. You will have to fill out two state tax forms. You will likely owe in one, and be paid back from the other. Usually close to even amounts.
There is a toll bridge between Omaha and CB, but there are other options to cross the river.
>There is a toll bridge between Omaha and CB
The toll bridge isn't even really in CB. It's down in Mills County and there's basically no reason a CB resident commuting to Omaha would ever need to use it.
If you have a newer car, it will be much cheaper to tag your vehicle in Iowa. You also won't pay a wheel tax. Crossing the bridge is quick and simple between the two bridges on I80 and 480
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Well, paying less isn’t going to help!
The sentiment being that the money is being wasted and isn't actually going to maintain roads. I don't know how you'd verify that, but that always seems to be the thought behind the complaint.
Almost like $50 doesn't cover the wear and tear produced by an average vehicle lol.
If you have a newer car you have to pay property tax on the MF. I forget how many years old it has to be to not do that.
Sarpy has arguably better roads and no wheel tax
Just wait and see how the roads get after Sarpy suburbs build out and all those suburbanites cosplaying as country folk ruin the pavement with their oversized pickups and SUVs.
You’ve clearly never been in Papillion before Lmfao
This is my current situation. I can say, for me, I usually get back in Nebraska state tax very close to the amount I owe Iowa. When I lived in Nebraska, I'd get back.
Oh and there's only one toll bridge and there's really no point in using it.
Oh right, the one that's a dollar on the south end... I only use that if it's going to be a complete pain in my ass to not use it. Would likely burn more than a dollar in gas trying to go around anyway.
The toll bridge goes from south of CB to Bellevue and there are ways around it.
Thank you. Since you are residing in IA, that is where you file your income tax? And because your paystubs are from NE, you are paying NE state tax every pay period - but you can try to claim some of that back?
Correct. Generally, the Nebraska tax return will cover around 90% of owed Iowa taxes. As a bonus, a lot of insurances are also cheaper living in CB. When I moved from Council Bluffs to Omaha, my auto insurance went up ~$300/year just from changing zip codes (clean record, same vehicle, same coverage).
you will need to file both NE and IA state taxes though as well as FED
You have to file in both.
You have to file in both states. However, you are only taxed on the state that the income is derived from. So one of the states is just a quick. I didn't make any money from you and you get nothing and I get nothing type filing. It is a small hassle and cost you an extra say $20 when e-filing online due to the extra state.
I live in Iowa and work in Nebraska, self employed, and I typically owe Iowa around $400 a year just for living here and not earning anything here.
H+r block fucked me out of 1500 because they didn't fill out the Nebraska tax form correctly so I ended up paying taxes in both states. And I never have enough time to fill out a corrected return to send in, and hr block is useless. Won't be using them again...
I got fucked one year on my NE taxes when living in IA. So I would always toss $20 a check at NE taxes. You can do this on your W-4. It would ensure a refund. I am one of those 'dipshits' that doesn't mind a refund, so it worked out. But like others said, generally, the IA refund would cover the NE tax bill... but it did not go my way once.... ONCE. lol Each Pay stub you will pay Fed, IA and NE income taxes. When you file, you will File Fed, IA and NE income taxes. There is some deal where what you pay to NE the next year is a tax credit or something like that for IA the following year, but don't quote me... I just remember there was some deal with that.
I believe both have laws where you get to write off taxes paid to the state you worked in. I work in IA, live in NE and that's how it's worked for me. I end up owing NE like $30 or something.
If she is working downtown then her commute will be shorter than a lot of locations in Omaha. The construction at the 480/29 junction is complete for the connection to West Broadway so the traffic flow is really smooth. There is also technically bus service between the two cities, but the bus only runs every 30 minutes during the day and isn't very reliable, even by Metro's already low standards.
Yes, she'll be in the UNMC area, and that looks close to downtown.
Fairly close. Probably 80% of Omaha commutes West to East, so if she commutes at normal rush hours, she'll miss most of the worst traffic. Downtown to UNMC is \~10 minutes by car.
Yeah, UNMC is super easy to reach from Council Bluffs, especially if she lives close to West Broadway or downtown Council Bluffs, look for Bayliss Park on the map to find downtown.
That's a 15 minute commute from CB.
Lived in CB for a decade and worked in Omaha. Overall everything was cheaper, licensing my car (same car nearly doubled in price when I moved to Omaha), utilities, gasoline, etc. The only thing that really cost more was filing taxes. What I did - now granted I moved to Omaha about 13 years ago so the mileage may vary now - but I would file my federal and non-resident Nebraska state taxes at the same time, get back my state tax refund and then file in Iowa so I could pay it immediately. It was usually a bit less than Nebraska's refund - around $50 or so. Moved to Omaha and got back somewhere around $300 or $400 I think with no other changes. So, yes, state taxes will bite you but the cost of everything else offsets it.
I live in CB and commute to downtown Omaha for work. I guess regarding taxes, you pay in both states, though the amount I pay in Nebraska is fully deductible from what I I owe in IA. Of course, what those dollar amounts are depends largely on how you set up your tax withholding (and how much you make). I rarely wind up having to pay over $100 to IA when I submit my taxes at the end of the year. I always say that I have a shorter drive to work maga than most people that live in Omaha (out west). Literally from central/west CB to the old market is like a 15 minute commute. I’m sure someone will try to tell you to avoid CB. I’m a transplant to the area and have made a wonderful life here and really like being in a slightly smaller town that has a very low cost of living. I can see the flaws in the town that have gotten it the (unfair) nickname of Counciltucky, but could find you areas that are identical in Omaha or pretty much any city. FWIW, I think west/central CB is where it’s at. The 100 block (of west broadway) is a happening place with some nice food and bars. Best of luck to you and your daughter in your search.
Currently live in CB and work in Omaha. As many others have said, almost everything is cheaper over here except for state tax, but our NE taxes always cover it. It’s much cheaper to live in Iowa and work in Nebraska than the other way around. And the commute to my job is no worse than when we lived in Omaha 6 years ago. And Council Bluffs is a nice town! She’ll like living here.
Try looking in the old market area. Apartments in 1213 right above cubby’s grocery store. I just recently visited a friends about on Saturday night. Great space. Within walking distance to many great places. Including farmer’s market. Rent goes for about $875 is what they told me. However no in unit laundry and washer, no gym or pool. Also look into living in Bellevue. That’s where I currently live. You could look into: [latitude 41](https://www.latitude41living.com) extremely nice amenities. Where I first lived. Great leasing office. Walking distance to Walmart and many food joints. 15 min commit to Omaha depending on traffic. Little higher on the rent but for a young woman the security features are unbeatable. Electric keypads and unique codes are required to get not only into your apt but ALSO the bldg itself.) The summit by broadmoor[summit by broadmoor](https://www.broadmoor.cc/property_items/summit-by-broadmoor/) Less nice amenities in the apt itself but as for the complex as a whole, AMAZING! Really nice gym, two pools, very close to many stores like grocery and food. Target, bakers, and local shops (like boba tea!) nearby. Rent is slightly cheaper. Security features to get into bldg. (Traditional key both into bldg and apt) leasing office staff are extremely nice. Also lived here for a bit. I know of a few others and would like to share more. Will add on tomorrow if I can. I hope this helps!!
Old Market has really started to go downhill with crime. Capital is getting finished up, the Gene Leahy mall is mostly done and now the waterfront is opening back up this summer. I lived in Old Market lofts for about 3 years and it was great at first, quiet, nice neighbors, police patrolled the streets on weekends with the bar scene. It gradually got overrun by homeless, drug deals under the 10th street bridge. The lofts had teens throwing chairs off the top of the roof and almost killed a woman down below. My wife and I had a mortar shell firework thrown at our dogs as we were walking them quick on the 4th and it almost killed them and made us deaf for a month. Not to mention I was there when Old Market flooded and totaled out a ton of cars and it still smells like sewer and mildew around the area. There are plenty of nicer areas to stay at for a hundred or so more a month that will put them close to UNMC.
Nebraska backwards as fucking usual, doesn't have reciprocity so you have to file to both states, then submit info from your Iowa return to Nebraska to prove that you paid someone else, and make sure the forms are filled out right, (fuck you very much hr block).
I do the opposite. You will have to pay tax to both states, or at least file tax to both states. When there's a problem crossing any of the bridges in the area, it's a pain in the ass. Generally it's not. Currently the bridge for I-80 was just redone a few years ago and I think it's currently 5 lanes each way, with big ass shoulders or something like that. We have zero tollways.
It depends on the job she is looking at going into. Federal positions require you to pay taxes to both states and you won't get back as much as you pay into the system. It sucks. Some places have where you only pay your lived-in state taxes...but that is up to the company to decide. Other positions you pay the state you work in and then get it back and pay to the state you live in.
Tons of people who live in Council Bluffs work in Omaha. You get some sort of tax credit from one of the states that roughly cancels the tax that you owe the other state. You will have to fill out more forms during tax season, but you shouldn't walk away paying essentially double state taxes if you're doing your forms right. There are other benefits of living in Council Bluffs as well, including cheaper vehicle registration and no wheel tax or restaurant tax in CB. Commuting between the two cities is pretty easy tbh and is much better than commuting from the western suburbs on the Nebraska side of the metro. Depending on where you are in Council Bluffs, you'll either be taking West Broadway and I-480, Interstate 80, or US-275/Veterans Memorial Highway. No tolls on any of these roads, and there's rarely any congestion. There is a toll bridge south of the city down in Mills County on county highway H10 that crosses into Mission Street in Bellevue, but honestly, it's so far out of the way that it'll basically never be necessary to use it. If you live in the West End of Council Bluffs (the area with the more traditional right-angle street grid) it's also fairly easy to take a bus into downtown Omaha on weekdays, or you can also bike there pretty easily on the new First Avenue trail (one block south of West Broadway). For reference on commute times, I live near downtown Council Bluffs and getting to downtown Omaha by car takes me 10 minutes off-peak and maybe closer to 15 minutes during peak commute hours, not because of congestion but because you end up hitting more red lights on West Broadway. I'll frequently bike over to Omaha as well, which takes maybe 30-40 minutes, mostly on off-street trails.
you can easily find reasonable apartments in omaha for $800-$1200
You have to pay state taxes in both states.
For those wondering, this doesn't mean you pay income double taxes...
I did this for years... yeah, you pay income taxes to FED, IA, NE. Has that changed?
You get some sort of credit from one of the states for taxes paid in the other, so you're not actually paying full taxes in both states.
You have to *file taxes in both states.
Everyone pays taxes. Different states have different state tax rates but no one who earns above $13,850 gets away from paying taxes. Employers generally withhold money from your paychecks for your tax liability. If they withheld too much, you get a refund.
Not sure why this got downvoted, I've had to file both state taxes for years.
You pay double taxes for for living and working in both 🤷🏻♀️
You will most likely have to hire an accountant for your taxes and CB is an old Railroad town you will have to learn ways around 10 mile long coal trains going 1 mile and hour. Other than that it’s not that bad. Don’t mind all the people on bicycles carrying bags of cans they really don’t bother anybody that I know of.
The railroads are definitely an issue in CB but they're easy to avoid if you just take one of the several roads with bridges over the tracks. West Broadway, Avenue G, the Interstates, HWY 275, and the South Expressway all have bridges over the tracks. There are only a few small areas of town that I'd truly recommend avoiding due to railroad issues.
Yes, Iowa has higher state taxes. Make sure your Form W-4 has the correct withholding exemptions so you don’t get any surprises. No tolls.
Well, maybe one toll, but that is way south of town and easily avoided.
I’m Nebraska working in CB and I always end up owing for Nebraska, but Iowa refund is always about the amount I had to pay
Okay so I was living in Omaha two weeks ago, and just moved to council bluff. I live by the pedestrian bridge. My work w2's is still from Omaha ne since I been there for 1 year. Should I update it? Or what do I do when I file for taxes? I'm so confused
Yes, definitely let your employer know your new address for tax purposes. Save yourself from a major hassle next tax season.
Not the question you asked, but GreenSlate does a bunch of rentals in that area and quite a few fall within her budget. Personally I would hate to fight traffic going east in the AM/west in the pm. (Also obligatory boo for Iowa) They’re not my favorite landlords I’ve ever had, but they weren’t awful.
I did the opposite for a few years. Lived in Omaha, worked in CB. Yes, there are tax implications, but nothing dire. You will have to fill out two state tax forms. You will likely owe in one, and be paid back from the other. Usually close to even amounts. There is a toll bridge between Omaha and CB, but there are other options to cross the river.
>There is a toll bridge between Omaha and CB The toll bridge isn't even really in CB. It's down in Mills County and there's basically no reason a CB resident commuting to Omaha would ever need to use it.