General Sales and Use Tax

The general State and applicable local and transit rates of sales and use tax apply to the sales price of each article of tangible personal property that is not subject to tax under another subdivision in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164.4.  Tangible personal property is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164.3 as "personal property that may be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched or is in any manner perceptible to the senses. The term includes electricity, water, gas, steam, and prewritten computer software." The general sourcing principles are set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164.4B.

In instances where the correct amount of sales tax has not been paid on taxable tangible personal property, use tax is due.

Gross receipts derived from the sale of tangible personal property and the sales and use tax thereon are to be reported to the Department on Form E-500, Sales and Use Tax Return, or through the Department’s online filing and payment system.

For additional information, refer to the main web page for sales and use tax.