Tools · Sales Tax
North Carolina Sales Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate sales tax on a purchase in North Carolina for 2026. Enter a price to see the tax and total at North Carolina’s combined rate of about 7.00% — the 4.75% state base plus the average 2.25% local tax. This is a state + average local estimate, not an address-exact rate.
North Carolina sales tax calculator
- Purchase price
- $100.00
- State base rate (4.75%)
- +$4.75
- Average local rate (2.25%)
- +$2.25
- Sales tax (7.00% combined)
- +$7.00
- Total price
- $107.00
North Carolina charges a 4.75% state rate plus a uniform 2% county tax. Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) added 1% in mid-2026, reaching 8.25%.
- This is the state base plus the average local rate — not an address-exact rate. Your actual rate depends on your city, county, and special district, and can be higher or lower than the state average.
- Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt or taxed at a lower rate in most states. A blended rate over-taxes those categories — use it for general merchandise.
- Clothing rules vary sharply. Pennsylvania and New Jersey exempt most clothing; Massachusetts exempts clothing up to $175 per item; New York exempts items under $110. Check your state before assuming apparel is taxed.
State revenue agencies (base rate) · Tax Foundation, population-weighted average local, Jan 1 2026. North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Revenue.
Estimate for 2026, using the state base rate plus the population-weighted average local rate. It is not an address-exact quote and excludes category exemptions and special district taxes. This is general information, not tax advice.
How North Carolina sales tax works
North Carolina charges a 4.75% state rate plus a uniform 2% county tax. Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) added 1% in mid-2026, reaching 8.25%. This calculator uses the population-weighted average local rate, so your actual rate depends on your city, county, and special district — it can be higher or lower.
Remember that groceries and prescription drugs are exempt or reduced in most states, so a blended rate over-taxes those categories. This is a 2026 estimate for general merchandise, not an address-exact quote and not tax advice. State revenue agencies (base rate) · Tax Foundation, population-weighted average local, Jan 1 2026.
Sales tax calculators for other states
Same 2026 data, each with its own state and local rates.