North Carolina Tax Brackets 2026
North Carolina uses a single flat income tax rate of 3.99% for 2026. It applies to your taxable income after the state's deductions and exemptions, the same rate at every income level.
| Flat rate on taxable income (all filing statuses) | 3.99% |
North Carolina standard deduction (2026)
| Single | $12,750 |
| Married filing jointly | $25,500 |
| Married filing separately | $12,750 |
| Head of household | $19,125 |
See what these rates leave of an actual salary: North Carolina paycheck calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top income tax rate in North Carolina?
For 2026, the top income tax rate in North Carolina is a flat 3.99%. Graduated states apply that top rate only to income above the final threshold, not to your whole salary.
How do North Carolina taxes compare with other states?
The clearest comparison is take-home pay on the same salary across states. Use the take-home pages to see how North Carolina stacks up against a no-income-tax state and its neighbors.
Federal: IRS 2026 brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) · FICA: IRS Topic 751 · Wage base: SSA · North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Revenue - Tax Rate Schedules. Rates current as of July 16, 2026. Annual-liability estimates, not payroll withholding — see methodology.