What is the sales tax in NC?
Retail sales of tangible personal property are subject to the 4.75% State sales or use tax. Items subject to the general rate are also subject to the 2.25% local rate of tax that is levied by all counties in North Carolina. Sales taxes are not charged on services or labor.
The North Carolina (NC) state sales tax rate is currently 4.75%. Depending on local municipalities, the total tax rate can be as high as 7.5%. County and local taxes in most areas bring the sales tax rate to 6.75%–7% in most counties but some can be as high as 7.5%.
North Carolina has a 4.75 percent state sales tax rate, a max local sales tax rate of 2.75 percent, and an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 6.99 percent. North Carolina's tax system ranks 10th overall on our 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index.
A 2.00% local rate of sales or use tax applies to retail sales and purchases for storage, use, or consumption of qualifying food. The transit and other local rates do not apply to qualifying food.
Some goods are exempt from sales tax under North Carolina law. Examples include most non-prepared food items, food stamps, and medical supplies. We recommend businesses review the laws and rules put forth by the NCDOR to stay up to date on which goods are taxable and which are exempt, and under what conditions.
As of 2017, 5 states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon) do not levy a statewide sales tax. California has the highest base sales tax rate, 7.25%. Including county and city sales taxes, the highest total sales tax as of September 1, 2013, was in Arab, Alabama, 13.50%.
Food is exempt from the State portion of sales tax (4.75%) but local sales taxes (Articles 39, 40 and 42) do apply to food to make up a 2% sales tax on food.
How much is sales tax in North Carolina? The base state sales tax rate in North Carolina is 4.75%. Local tax rates in North Carolina range from 0% to 2.75%, making the sales tax range in North Carolina 4.75% to 7.5%.
This can make a huge difference in how much you pay for retail items, since rates can range as high as 7.25% in California, according to research from Tax Foundation. The following five states currently have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon.
North Carolina is moderately tax-friendly toward retirees. Social Security income is not taxed. Withdrawals from retirement accounts are fully taxed. Wages are taxed at normal rates, and your marginal state tax rate is 4.75%.
How much is grocery tax in NC?
According to North Carolina Department of Revenue, there is no state tax on groceries, but the department does track the 2% local sales and use tax on food for home consumption at the county level. That tax brought in over 400 million dollars and that is not including December 2022.
If you make $20,000 a year living in the region of North Carolina, USA, you will be taxed $2,604. That means that your net pay will be $17,396 per year, or $1,450 per month.
![What is the sales tax in NC? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZDGo2oUYO6U/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLC4rsiuLXKgerir6ZVzrrJDfLvPsQ)
- California: 7.25% sales tax rate.
- Indiana: 7% sales tax rate.
- Mississippi: 7% sales tax rate.
- Rhode Island 7% sales tax rate.
- Tennessee: 7% sales tax rate.
- Minnesota: 6.875% sales tax rate.
- Nevada: 6.85% sales tax rate.
- New Jersey: 6.625% sales tax rate.
Inheritances, gifts, cash rebates, alimony payments (for divorce decrees finalized after 2018), child support payments, most healthcare benefits, welfare payments, and money that is reimbursed from qualifying adoptions are deemed nontaxable by the IRS.
Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exemption
Property tax exclusions are available for qualifying elderly and disabled residents. Income must not exceed $36,700. Application deadline is June 1. North Carolina allows property tax exclusions for senior adults and disabled individuals.
The minimum income amount depends on your filing status and age. In 2023, for example, the minimum for Single filing status if under age 65 is $13,850. If your income is below that threshold, you generally do not need to file a federal tax return.
The states with the highest combined state and local sales taxes include Tennessee 9.548%, Louisiana 9.547%, Arkansas 9.443%, Washington 9.397%, and Alabama 9.237%. The states with the lowest total sales taxes are Delaware 0%, Montana 0%, New Hampshire 0%, Oregon 0%, and Alaska 1.813%.
Louisiana sales tax
That means residents in some areas of the state face an 11.45% sales tax rate. Good to know facts about Louisiana sales tax: Even though Louisiana takes the spot for most expensive sales tax, you won't pay taxes on groceries or prescription drugs.
The minimum combined 2024 sales tax rate for Welcome, North Carolina is 7%. This is the total of state, county and city sales tax rates. The North Carolina sales tax rate is currently 4.75%. The County sales tax rate is 2.25%.
Cost of Living
This is slightly below the national average and makes both states highly affordable. However, with home prices middling close to $181k, South Carolina's housing market is marginally cheaper than North Carolina's. All in all, South Carolina wins in terms of affordability.
Does NC tax Social Security?
North Carolina income taxes
North Carolina doesn't tax Social Security benefits. Income from federal government retirement plans, or designated North Carolina state and local government retirement plans, is exempt if the retiree had five or more years of creditable service as of August 12, 1989.
North Carolina is a moderately tax-friendly state
However, North Carolina does charge state income tax as well as taxes on most retirement sources—such as 401(k)s, pensions, and IRAs—hence the “moderate” tax-friendly label. The state also charges a flat tax rate of 4.75% that will gradually decrease to 3.99% in 2027.
Overview of North Carolina Taxes
North Carolina now has a flat state income tax rate of 4.75%. The average effective property tax rate for the state is below the national average. There is a statewide sales tax and each county levies an additional tax.
Every person engaged in business in North Carolina is required to collect and pay sales or use tax on retail sales or leases of tangible personal property and certain digital property not specifically exempt by law.
Prepared food and soft drinks from restaurants and bars are taxed at the 4.75% General State rate and applicable local rate and transit rates of sales and tax.
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