Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit
Nebraska Department of Revenue
20% of growth, up to $20K
Refundable growth credit for Nebraska's smallest businesses
Nebraska's Microenterprise Tax Credit rewards very small businesses (5 or fewer employees) for growing. Earn a refundable 20% income tax credit on the increase in business investment or payroll over a two-year baseline — up to a $20,000 lifetime credit per applicant. Unlike most incentive programs, this one is genuinely accessible to the smallest of businesses: solo operators, micro-manufacturers, food producers, and service firms. The credit is refundable, so if it exceeds your state tax bill, you get a check.
- Funding type
- Tax Credit
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $20,000
- Realistic amount
- A microbusiness adding one full-time employee at $40,000/year or investing $50,000 in equipment could earn $8,000–$10,00…
- Deadline
- Applications accepted January 1 through November 1 annually. Applications after November 1 are credited to the next year. Program open through 2032.
- Status
- active
- States
- NE
- Payment model
- tax offset
Who qualifies
- Business must be a microbusiness — 5 or fewer full-time equivalent employees at the time of application
- Applicant must be actively engaged in the operation of the microbusiness on a daily basis (personal management involvement required)
- Business must be based in Nebraska
- Applicant must be an individual (not a corporate entity — the credit is an individual income tax credit)
- Business must demonstrate measurable growth in investment or employment compensation over the two-year measurement period
- New employees hired must be verified through E-Verify
- Compensation counted excludes wages above 150% of the Nebraska average weekly wage
Hard requirements
- Max 5 employees
- Location restriction: Nebraska — business must operate in-state
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Nebraska real estate and building purchases or long-term leases
- Property repairs and maintenance within Nebraska
- Advertising expenses
- Legal and professional fees
- Increased employee compensation (payroll) for Nebraska-based employees
- Employer health insurance costs for Nebraska employees
Ineligible expenses
- Vehicle purchases of any kind
- Compensation exceeding 150% of the Nebraska average weekly wage
- Expenses incurred outside Nebraska
- Inventory (not capital investment)
- Refinancing of existing debt
How to apply
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1
Apply between January 1 and November 1
Submit the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Application (Form 3800N Worksheet M) through the Nebraska Department of Revenue's secure file sharing system. Apply early — total program credits are capped at $2 million annually.
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2
Establish your baseline year
The Department sets your base year (prior year) and measures investment/employment growth during the application year and the year after. Keep records of all qualifying business investments and payroll during these periods.
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3
Track qualifying investment and employment
Document all qualifying expenses: property/equipment purchases, repairs/maintenance, advertising, legal and professional fees. Track payroll for any new Nebraska employees (excl. wages above 150% of state average weekly wage). Vehicle purchases do not count.
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4
Claim credit on income tax return
After the two-year measurement period, claim the refundable credit on your Nebraska individual income tax return. If the credit exceeds your tax liability, the excess is refunded as a check.
Apply early in the year — the $2M annual cap can run out. The credit is refundable so even zero-tax-liability years produce a check. Wages above 150% of state average don't count toward the credit calculation.
Deadline & timing
Application window reopens January 1 each year. The November 1 cutoff is firm — late applications roll to the next tax year. The credit is earned over two tax years (application year + following year), so timing your application matters for when you receive the benefit.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.