The Nebraska Department of Revenue is lowering the interest rate the state charges for delinquent taxes, starting next year.

The department announced on its website this week that the state will charge 3 percent interest per year on unpaid taxes and special assessments owed to the state after Jan. 1.

The current 5 percent rate has been in effect since January 2009. That rate will still apply to taxes owed between 2009 and 2012.

Department officials say the rate is set once every two years. It’s based on the federal government’s average short-term borrowing rate.