Sales tax on common purchases in North Carolina
At the average combined rate of 7.1%, every $100 you spend carries $7.10 in sales tax. Where the highest local rate applies, the total rate is 8.25%, or $8.25 per $100. Rates are population-weighted averages, so your city or county may differ slightly — enter its exact rate in the calculator for a precise total.
| Price | Sales tax | Total | Total at 8.25% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.71 | $10.71 | $10.83 |
| $25.00 | $1.78 | $26.78 | $27.06 |
| $50.00 | $3.55 | $53.55 | $54.13 |
| $100.00 | $7.10 | $107.10 | $108.25 |
| $500.00 | $35.50 | $535.50 | $541.25 |
| $1,000.00 | $71.00 | $1,071.00 | $1,082.50 |
Working backward from a receipt
To find the price before tax, divide the total by 1 plus the rate: in North Carolina, a $100.00 receipt at 7.1% breaks down into $93.37 of merchandise and $6.63 of tax. That is handy for expense reports and for checking a receipt that only shows the total.
| Total paid | Price before tax | Tax included |
|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $9.34 | $0.66 |
| $25.00 | $23.34 | $1.66 |
| $50.00 | $46.69 | $3.31 |
| $100.00 | $93.37 | $6.63 |
| $500.00 | $466.85 | $33.15 |
| $1,000.00 | $933.71 | $66.29 |
How North Carolina compares with neighboring states
North Carolina's 4.75% state rate ranks 36th of the 50 states and DC, and its combined average ranks 22nd (1st = highest in both). On a $1,000 purchase at average rates, buying in North Carolina instead of Tennessee saves about $25.10 in sales tax.
| State | State rate | Avg. local rate | Combined | Tax on $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 2.35% | 7.1% | $71.00 |
| Georgia | 4% | 3.56% | 7.56% | $75.60 |
| South Carolina | 6% | 1.49% | 7.49% | $74.90 |
| Tennessee | 7% | 2.61% | 9.61% | $96.10 |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 0.47% | 5.77% | $57.70 |
What the rate covers
Which goods are taxable differs by state: groceries, prescription drugs and clothing are often exempt or taxed at a reduced rate, while prepared food and general merchandise usually pay the full rate. Check unusual purchases against the state's current rules.
Working in North Carolina too? The North Carolina paycheck calculator estimates take-home pay after federal and state income tax, and the sales tax calculator covers all 50 states and DC.