North Carolina charges 3.99% flat state income tax. Use the employer cost calculator pre-loaded with North Carolina rates.
Open Employer Cost Calculator →Employers in North Carolina must withhold and remit the flat 3.99% state income tax, plus handle their share of FICA, FUTA, and North Carolina's state unemployment insurance. The total cost to employ someone at a $75,000 salary in North Carolina is typically 10-15% above the gross salary, covering the employer's payroll tax share, SUI, workers' comp, and benefits. This calculator breaks down the full employer cost with North Carolina's specific tax rates.
North Carolina levies a flat 3.99% state income tax on all taxable income regardless of how much you earn. This makes tax planning straightforward: for every additional dollar you earn, 3.99 cents goes to North Carolina. North Carolina does not impose local income taxes, so the 3.99% flat rate is the only state-level income tax you owe.
The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in North Carolina, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and North Carolina's flat 3.99% state tax.
See how North Carolina compares to other South states. Each link takes you to the employer cost calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of North Carolina’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full North Carolina take-home pay page.