North Carolina's state sales tax is 4.75%, and local add-ons take the combined rate as high as 8.25%. Of the 51 state-level rates, 4.75% is the 15th-lowest; the 8.25% top combined rate is the 22nd-highest, tied with Texas.
Combined sales tax in North Carolina cities
The 8 North Carolina cities we list range from 6.75% to 8.25%, a local share of 2% to 3.5%. At the 8.25% maximum: Charlotte.
Combined rates as published by the North Carolina Department of Revenue
City
Combined rate
Local share
Tax on $100
Charlotte
8.25%
3.5%
$8.25
Durham
7.5%
2.75%
$7.50
Cary
7.25%
2.5%
$7.25
Raleigh
7.25%
2.5%
$7.25
Fayetteville
7%
2.25%
$7.00
Wilmington
7%
2.25%
$7.00
Winston-Salem
7%
2.25%
$7.00
Greensboro
6.75%
2%
$6.75
Sales tax on a purchase in North Carolina
Backward from a receipt: a $50.00 total at 7.125% is $46.67 of goods and $3.33 of tax.
Tax owed at North Carolina rates
Price
State only (4.75%)
Median listed city (7.125%)
Highest (8.25%)
$25.00
$1.19
$1.78
$2.06
$100.00
$4.75
$7.12
$8.25
$1,000.00
$47.50
$71.25
$82.50
$2,500.00
$118.75
$178.12
$206.25
Groceries in North Carolina
North Carolina exempts groceries from the state rate and applies a uniform 2% local food tax instead, the same everywhere in the state. A $200.00 grocery bill at the 7.125% median city rate carries $4.00 (2%), against $14.25 on other goods.
Tax on $200.00 of groceries and of other goods in North Carolina
4.75% state, up to 8.25% with local taxes. The middle of the 8 North Carolina cities we list is 7.125%.
What is the highest sales tax rate in North Carolina?
8.25% combined. Charlotte charges that rate.
Are groceries taxed in North Carolina?
North Carolina exempts groceries from the state rate and applies a uniform 2% local food tax instead, the same everywhere in the state. A $200.00 grocery bill at the 7.125% median city rate carries $4.00 (2%), against $14.25 on other goods.
How much is the sales tax on $1,000 in Charlotte?
$82.50 at Charlotte's 8.25%, $1,082.50 in total; $47.50 of it is the state's.
Sources
Official documents the rates and rules on this page come from.
This is a reference calculation using common tax assumptions and is not a substitute for professional advice. We accept no liability for decisions made from it — see the terms of use for details.