North Carolina Tax Rates & Tax Burden
Tax Burden
9.9%
23rd lowest
Top Income Tax
4.25%
1 bracket
Combined Sales Tax
6.996%
4.75% state rate
Property Tax
0.623%
Effective rate
Individual Income Tax
Source: Tax Foundation (2025)Top Marginal Rate
4.25%
Number of Brackets
1
Collections per Capita
$1,561
North Carolina levies a state individual income tax with a top marginal rate of 4.25% (flat rate). Income tax collections total $1,561 per capita.
Top Marginal Income Tax Rate by State
Sales Tax
Source: Tax Foundation (2025)State Rate
4.75%
Avg. Local Rate
2.246%
Combined Rate
6.996%
Collections per Capita
$1,102
North Carolina has a state sales tax rate of 4.75%. When combined with average local sales taxes, the total combined rate is 6.996%. Sales tax collections total $1,102 per capita.
Combined Sales Tax Rate by State
Property Tax
Source: Tax Foundation / Census (2025)Effective Rate
0.623%
Collections per Capita
$1,175
The effective property tax rate in North Carolina is 0.623% of owner-occupied housing value. Property tax collections total $1,175 per capita.
Effective Property Tax Rate by State
Gas & Fuel Tax
Source: Tax Foundation (2025)Gas Tax
41¢/gal
North Carolina levies a total gas tax of 41¢/gal per gallon, which includes both excise taxes and other fees. The national average is 32.6¢/gal.
Gas Tax by State (¢/gallon)
Corporate Income Tax
Source: Tax Foundation (2025)Top Corporate Rate
2.25%
North Carolina levies a corporate income tax with a top rate of 2.25%.
Top Corporate Income Tax Rate by State
Business Tax Climate
Source: Tax Foundation SBTCI (2025)Business Climate Rank
#12
of 50 states
Tax Burden Rank
#23
23rd lowest burden
Total Collections / Capita
$3,606
The Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index ranks North Carolina #12 out of 50 states for overall tax competitiveness. This index evaluates corporate taxes, individual income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and unemployment insurance taxes.
The total state and local tax burden in North Carolina is 9.9% of state income, compared to the national average of 10.56%.
Business Tax Climate Rank by State (1 = Best)
How North Carolina Compares
Tax Burden by State (% of Income)
| Metric | North Carolina | National Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Burden (% of income) | 9.9% | 10.56% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.996% | 7.21% |
| Property Tax (effective) | 0.623% | 0.873% |
| Gas Tax (¢/gallon) | 41¢/gal | 32.6¢/gal |
| Collections per Capita | $3,606 | $4,397 |