The first thing most people learn about Nevada is that there is no state income tax. The second is that the state pays for itself some other way. This page follows the money using the Department of Taxation's published rates and the Census Bureau's state tax collection tables, and it points to the agency that handles each tax.
Where Nevada's tax revenue comes from
The Census Bureau's State Tax Collections for fiscal year 2024 show Nevada collecting about 15.0 billion dollars in total taxes. Of that, general sales taxes brought in about 8.4 billion dollars, or roughly 56 percent. Individual income tax collected nothing, and so did the corporate net income tax. Motor fuels added about 395 million dollars and motor vehicle license taxes about 235 million.
That mix explains the household effect. Spending is taxed more than earning, so the way you live matters as much as your pay.
Sales tax by county
The Department of Taxation sets a base state rate of 6.85 percent and publishes a rate sheet for each county. The rate sheets list these totals for the counties around the Truckee Meadows.
| County | Total sales tax rate |
|---|---|
| Washoe (Reno and Sparks) | 8.265 percent |
| Carson City | 7.60 percent |
| Storey (Virginia City) | 7.60 percent |
| Churchill (Fallon) | 7.60 percent |
| Douglas (Minden and Gardnerville) | 7.10 percent |
| Lyon (Fernley, Dayton, Yerington) | 7.10 percent |
Check the current rate sheet for your exact address before you rely on a figure, because local rates can change.
Property tax and the vehicle tax
Property tax is assessed and collected at the county level. Washoe County's Assessor values each parcel, and Nevada limits yearly increases on owner-occupied homes through its abatement formula. The property tax page covers how that cap works.
When you register a car, the Nevada DMV collects a governmental services tax along with the registration fee, and the county assessor can approve exemptions for qualifying people such as veterans and active duty military. See vehicle registration for the documents.
Business owners and the self-employed
Nevada taxes businesses through programs administered by the Department of Taxation, and the department's online portal handles filing for several of them. If you are moving a company or going out on your own, read the department's current guidance for your business type, and consider asking an accountant about the order of changes, since the rules of your old state may follow your income for part of a year.
Moving expenses and your federal return
Federal moving expense rules are separate from state taxes and are narrower than many people expect. Our moving expenses and taxes guide summarizes what the IRS says. For anything specific to your return, ask a tax professional.