# Durham, NC Sales Tax Rate (2026)

Canonical: https://trykintsugi.com/sales-tax-guides/usa/north-carolina/durham
Published: 2026-09-01

The combined sales tax rate in Durham, NC is 7.5% as of September 2026: 4.75% state, 2.25% county and 0.5% special district.

| Component | Rate |
| --- | --- |
| State | 4.75% |
| County | 2.25% |
| City | 0% |
| Special district | 0.5% |
| **Combined** | **7.5%** |

Source: Kintsugi's rate table, as of September 2026. Official rates: [North Carolina DOR — Current Sales and Use Tax Rates](https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/sales-and-use-tax/sales-and-use-tax-rates/current-sales-and-use-tax-rates).

## Durham sales tax rates by ZIP code

| ZIP | County | Combined rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 27701 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27702 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27703 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27704 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27705 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27706 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27707 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27708 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27709 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27710 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27711 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27712 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27713 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27715 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27717 | Durham County | 7.5% |
| 27722 | Durham County | 7.5% |

## Selling into Durham: North Carolina rules

- **What's taxable:** At the state level, SaaS is exempt, clothing is taxable, groceries are partly taxable and digital goods are taxable.
- **Economic nexus:** North Carolina economic nexus applies once your gross sales sourced to the state exceed $100,000 in the current or prior calendar year. The 200-transaction threshold was removed effective July 1, 2024, so the dollar amount is the only economic trigger.
- **Filing:** North Carolina assigns monthly or quarterly filing based on liability. Returns are due the 20th of the month following the reporting period.

More in the [North Carolina sales tax guide](/sales-tax-guides/usa/north-carolina).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the sales tax rate in Durham, NC?

The combined sales tax rate in Durham, NC is 7.5% as of September 2026: 4.75% state, 2.25% county and 0.5% special district.

### Why do sales tax rates differ by ZIP code in Durham?

In Durham they don't: all 16 ZIP codes with a Durham mailing address carry 7.5%. Local taxes still follow jurisdiction boundaries rather than ZIP codes, so rate each sale by its delivery address.

### Do I need to collect Durham sales tax if I'm based out of state?

Only once you have nexus in North Carolina. North Carolina economic nexus applies once your gross sales sourced to the state exceed $100,000 in the current or prior calendar year. The 200-transaction threshold was removed effective July 1, 2024, so the dollar amount is the only economic trigger. After you register, you collect North Carolina sales tax on taxable sales delivered to Durham.

### What does North Carolina tax?

At the state level, SaaS is exempt, clothing is taxable, groceries are partly taxable and digital goods are taxable. The North Carolina sales tax guide covers exemptions and local exceptions.