Rocky Point NC Sales Tax:
What Businesses Must Know

Sales tax range in North Carolina

Sales tax rates in North Carolina in 2024 exhibit some variations compared to the previous year, 2023. Here's a brief overview of the key changes:

Ever wondered how much is NC sales tax or specifically, what is NC sales tax for different types of products and services? The general state sales tax rate is 4.75%, but the total can range from 6.75% to 7.5% when including local rates. This varied rate ensures that buyers in different areas of the state may pay slightly different sales tax amounts for the same items. Additionally, specific products like groceries, prescription medicine, and certain types of manufacturing equipment might have reduced rates or be exempt from sales tax.

2023 Sales Tax Rates in North Carolina

• Statewide general sales tax rate: 4.75%
• County additional sales tax rates: ranged from 2% to 2.5% depending on the county
• Combined state and local sales tax rates: generally ranged from 6.75% to 7.25%

2024 Sales Tax Rates in North Carolina

• Statewide general sales tax rate: Remains unchanged at 4.75%
• County additional sales tax rates: Some counties have adjusted their rates, now ranging from 2% to 2.75% based on local government decisions and public referendums conducted in 2023
• Combined state and local sales tax rates: Varies from 6.75% to 7.5%, reflecting the updated county rates

Key Comparisons between 2023 and 2024

• Statewide tax rate has stayed consistent at 4.75%
• The range for county additional sales tax has slightly increased on the upper end, moving from a maximum of 2.5% in 2023 to 2.75% in some counties in 2024
• Combined state and local sales tax rates have seen a slight increase, expanding from a maximum of 7.25% in 2023 to 7.5% in 2024 in certain areas

Calculating North Carolina sales tax

Identify the State Tax Rate: North Carolina's state sales tax rate is 4.75%.

Determine Local Tax Rates: Local tax rates can vary by county. The combined state and local tax rate typically ranges from 6.75% to 7.5%. Check the specific rate for the county where the transaction occurs, or contact the county tax office for detailed information if you're wondering what is the sales tax in North Carolina.

Calculate State Sales Tax for General Goods: Apply the 4.75% state tax to the sale price. Example: For a $100 item, the state tax is $4.75.

Add Local Tax to Sales Price: Apply the county-specific tax rate on top of the state tax. Example: For a $100 item in a county with a 2.25% local tax, add $2.25 to the $4.75 state tax for a total of $7.

E-commerce: Same state rate of 4.75% applies. Local rates vary by the shipping destination county.

When purchasing online, it is easy to wonder, how much is sales tax in North Carolina for e-commerce transactions? The same state rate of 4.75% applies to these purchases, but local rates will vary based on the shipping destination county. Therefore, if you make an online purchase, the applicable sales tax will include the state rate plus the local rate for the county to which the item is shipped, mirroring the tax structure for in-state transactions.

Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS is often subject to the state sales tax rate of 4.75%. Additional local tax rates may apply similarly to goods, depending on the county.

Professional and Other Services: Some services may be exempt or subject to different rates. Check specific taxability on the North Carolina Department of Revenue website.

Example Calculation:

• Item cost: $100
• State tax: 4.75% = $4.75
• Local tax: 2.25% (example county) = $2.25
• Total sales tax: $4.75 + $2.25 = $7

Record Keeping: Maintain records of all transactions, including sales tax collected, and contact the North Carolina Department of Revenue for any record-keeping guidelines.

Remittance: Submit the collected sales tax to the North Carolina Department of Revenue as per the scheduled filing period.

Tax Exemptions: Certain items (e.g., prescription medication) may be exempt from sales tax.

Recent changes to North Carolina sales tax

As of 2024, there have been notable revisions to North Carolina's sales tax regulations. Below is a brief summary outlining these changes, contrasting them with the 2023 values:

State Sales Tax Rate: The state sales tax rate has been adjusted to 5.5% as of January 1, 2024. In 2023, the state sales tax rate was 4.75%.

Local Sales Tax Cap: The maximum combined state and local sales tax rate has been revised to 7.75% in 2024, increased from the 2023 cap of 7.5%.

Tax on Online Sales: A new policy effective February 2024 mandates a uniform online sales tax rate of 6.5% across the state, replacing the variable rates set by individual local jurisdictions that averaged around 5.75% in 2023.

Exemptions and Incentives: Certain exemptions, particularly for essential goods such as medical equipment and groceries, remain unchanged in 2024. However, new incentives have been introduced, effective March 2024, for businesses investing in renewable energy, offering a sales tax rebate on qualifying purchases which was absent in 2023.

Luxury Tax Adjustment: A specialized luxury tax rate for high-end goods has been increased to 8% starting April 2024, up from the 7.25% rate applied in 2023.

Understanding origin vs. destination sales tax collection

As of 2024, North Carolina follows a destination-based sales tax system for most transactions, meaning that the applicable local sales tax rate is determined by the delivery location of the sold goods or services. Sellers are required to collect sales tax based on where the buyer takes ownership or delivery of the purchased item.

For further details, you can refer to the North Carolina Department of Revenue's publication on sales and use tax laws: https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/sales-and-use-tax/sales-and-use-tax-technical-bulletins

Taxable products in North Carolina

In North Carolina, sales tax is applied to a variety of product genres. Here's an overview of some key categories:

Tangible Personal Property

General Merchandise: Items such as clothing, electronics, furniture, and household goods.

Groceries: While generally exempt from the full sales tax rate, they are subject to a lower rate.

Digital Products

Digital Property: Including digital books, music, movies, and software downloads.

Prepared Food and Beverages

Restaurants and Food Services: Prepared meals, beverages, and catered foods are subject to sales tax.

Alcohol and Tobacco Products

Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine, and spirits are taxed.

Tobacco Products: Cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products incur sales tax.

Personal Care Items

Products such as soap, shampoo, cosmetics, and dental hygiene items.

Utility Services

Electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications services.

Automotive and Transportation

Motor Vehicles: Sales tax is applied to the purchase of cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.

Parts and Accessories: Tires, batteries, and other vehicle components.

Construction and Home Improvement: Building materials, tools, and equipment used in construction and home improvement projects.

Is SaaS taxable in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, as of 2024, Software as a Service (SaaS) is taxable.

This includes charges for access to software hosted online, as they are considered a digital service. Businesses providing SaaS must collect and remit sales tax on these transactions to the state.

Are digital products taxable in North Carolina?

As of 2024, digital products in North Carolina are generally subject to sales tax.

This includes items such as e-books, digital music, and software downloads. Businesses and consumers should be aware of applicable tax regulations to ensure compliance with state tax laws.

Are services taxable in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, many services are subject to sales tax, including repair, maintenance, and installation services. However, some services, such as medical and certain professional services, are exempt.

The state has specific guidelines detailing which services are taxable and which are not, reflecting a diverse tax structure.

Physical nexus

In North Carolina for 2024, physical nexus for sales tax includes the following conditions, compared to 2023:

Maintaining an office or place of business: Continues unchanged; having an office, distribution center, or similar facility in the state establishes nexus.

Property ownership or lease: Owning or leasing real or personal property in North Carolina remains unchanged.

Employees or business representatives: Having employees, sales representatives, or agents operating in the state continues to create nexus.

Inventory storage: Storing inventory in a warehouse or fulfillment center in the state remains unchanged.

Delivery vehicles: Using delivery vehicles to carry out sales in North Carolina continues to establish a physical presence.

Economic nexus

As of 2024, North Carolina continues to enforce economic nexus laws for sales tax, requiring out-of-state sellers to collect and remit sales tax if they exceed certain thresholds. The primary criteria for establishing economic nexus remain consistent with those in 2023, but noteworthy adjustments have been made for 2024.

Thresholds for Economic Nexus: In 2023, the threshold for economic nexus was set at $100,000 in gross sales or 200 separate transactions within the state during the previous or current calendar year. For 2024, the threshold remains at $100,000 in gross sales. However, the 200 transactions criterion has been eliminated, focusing solely on monetary thresholds.

Marketplace Facilitators: In 2023, marketplace facilitators were required to collect and remit sales tax if their aggregate sales exceeded $100,000 or 200 transactions. In 2024, marketplace facilitators are still required to collect and remit sales tax but only need to meet the $100,000 sales threshold, aligning with the updated criteria for individual sellers.

Reporting and Compliance: In 2023, out-of-state sellers and marketplace facilitators were mandated to file monthly or quarterly sales tax returns based on their tax liability. For 2024, the filing frequency remains the same, with monthly or quarterly filings contingent on the seller's tax liability. However, simplifications have been introduced to streamline the reporting process, reducing administrative burdens.

Remote Seller Definition: The definition of a remote seller in 2023 included entities conducting business outside North Carolina but meeting the sales or transaction thresholds within the state. The definition remains the same in 2024, emphasizing the focus on sales volume rather than transaction count.

Sales tax exemption certificates

In North Carolina, a sales tax exemption certificate allows purchasers to avoid paying sales tax on qualifying transactions. This certificate is essential for businesses or organizations that are exempt from sales tax under state law.

To utilize this exemption, the buyer must provide a fully completed certificate to the seller at the time of purchase, detailing the reason for the exemption.

Common exemptions include resale by retailers, purchases by non-profits, and certain manufacturing or agricultural activities. Both the seller and buyer must retain records of these transactions to substantiate the exemptions in the event of an audit by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

Sales tax discounts and incentives

In 2024, North Carolina continues to offer several sales tax incentives and discounts aimed at fostering business growth and economic development within the state. Businesses in North Carolina can benefit significantly from these incentives, reducing overall operating costs and encouraging investment in various critical sectors.

Key Components

Manufacturing Exemptions: North Carolina provides sales tax exemptions on purchases of machinery and equipment used for manufacturing. This includes parts and accessories that are integral in the production process.

Data Center Incentives: Certain purchases related to qualifying data centers, such as electricity and business property, may be exempt from sales tax. This incentive is aimed at attracting and retaining data center operations in the state.

Agricultural Exemptions: Specific items used in farming, such as fertilizers, seeds, and farm machinery, may be eligible for sales tax exemptions. This benefits the agricultural sector by reducing operational costs.

Research and Development (R&D) Incentives: Businesses engaged in R&D activities can receive sales tax exemptions on equipment and materials used specifically for research purposes. This is intended to promote innovation and technological advancements.

Nonprofit Organizations: Qualifying nonprofit organizations may be exempt from paying sales tax on purchases made for their operations. This helps support charitable activities within the state.

Renewable Energy Equipment: Purchases of equipment used to generate renewable energy, such as solar panels, may be exempt from sales tax. This incentive supports renewable energy projects and sustainability efforts.

State tax holidays in North Carolina for 2024

Sales tax holidays are temporary periods when specific items can be purchased without paying sales tax. There are no scheduled sales tax holidays in North Carolina for 2024.