Your Filing Status
The filing status claimed on the federal return must also be the same as claimed on the North Carolina income tax return. If the taxpayer has not filed a federal income tax return, the taxpayer must claim the filing status to which the taxpayer would be entitled under section 2 of the Internal Revenue Code. However, for a married couple, if either the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse is a nonresident and had no North Carolina taxable income for the taxable year, the filing status married filing separately may be claimed. Once a joint return is filed, separate returns may not be filed for the year after the due date of the return.
For tax year 2018, a North Carolina tax return is required if your federal gross income exceeds the amount listed for your filing status shown below:
| $8,750 | for | Single |
| $17,500 | for | Married Filing Jointly |
| $8,750 | for | Married Filing Separately (If spouse does not claim itemized deductions) |
| $0 | for | Married Filing Separately (If spouse claims itemized deductions) |
| $14,000 | for | Head of Household |
| $17,500 | for | Qualifying Widow(er)/Surviving Spouse |
| $0 | for | Nonresident alien |
You may obtain additional information by calling toll-free at 1-877-252-3052 or visiting a service center.
Be sure to check the appropriate filing status on your North Carolina return.