North Carolina Paycheck Calculator 2026
North Carolina taxes wages at one flat 3.99% rate in 2026, applied after a standard deduction that depends on filing status.
Your details
Estimated take-home pay (Bi-weekly (every 2 weeks))
$2,273.41
$59,109 per year · 78.8% of gross
Deduction breakdown (per paycheck)
- Gross pay
- $2,884.62
- − Federal income tax
- $295.00
- − Social Security (FICA)
- $178.85
- − Medicare (FICA)
- $41.83
- − North Carolina state income tax
- $95.53
- Take-home pay
- $2,273.41
Estimate for 2026 using the rules on our methodology page. It is not tax advice; your employer's withholding and your return can differ.
Paying an employee or yourself?
Employers and small business owners can turn these numbers into a printable pay stub to record a payment they actually made. Your details stay in your browser.
Create a pay stub from these numbersHow taxes work in North Carolina
North Carolina levies a flat state income tax of 4%. Unlike a progressive system, the same rate applies to all of your taxable income rather than rising as you earn more.
North Carolina applies a standard deduction of about $12,750 for single filers before the tax is calculated.
On top of this 4% state tax, every North Carolina paycheck also has federal income tax and FICA (6.2% Social Security plus 1.45% Medicare) withheld.
What changes a North Carolina paycheck?
For tax year 2026 the North Carolina Department of Revenue applies a single 3.99% rate, the last step of the legislated phase-down from 4.25% in 2025. The standard deduction is $12,750 for single filers, $25,500 for married filing jointly and $19,125 for head of household, and the state has no personal exemption.
Employer withholding in the NC-30 tables runs at 4.09%, a deliberate 0.1 point buffer above the 3.99% rate. A real paycheck can therefore show slightly more state tax than this estimate, and any over-withholding is settled when the D-400 return is filed.
North Carolina has no city or county income tax and no state disability or paid-leave payroll deduction, so federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare are the other main items. Dependents, credits and pre-tax benefits beyond your entered inputs are not modeled.
Example: take-home pay on $60,000 in North Carolina
Here's how a $60,000 salary breaks down for a single filer paid bi-weekly in North Carolina. After all taxes, take-home pay is about $48,505 per year — 80.8% of gross. Adjust the calculator above for your own numbers.
| Line item | Per year | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $60,000 | $2,308 |
| − Federal income tax | $5,020 | $193 |
| − Social Security (FICA) | $3,720 | $143 |
| − Medicare (FICA) | $870 | $33 |
| − North Carolina state income tax | $1,885 | $73 |
| Take-home pay | $48,505 | $1,866 |
Estimate for a single filer, 2026 tax year, no pre-tax deductions. Figures are rounded. See our methodology for assumptions.
Take-home pay at other salaries in North Carolina
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 rules, no pre-tax deductions.
| Salary | NC tax | Take-home per year | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,087 | $33,233 | $1,278 |
| $60,000 | $1,885 | $48,505 | $1,866 |
| $85,000 | $2,883 | $65,745 | $2,529 |
| $120,000 | $4,279 | $88,971 | $3,422 |
North Carolina income tax rates used for 2026
Single
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| All taxable income | 3.99% |
Married filing jointly
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| All taxable income | 3.99% |
- Standard deduction: $12,750 single, $25,500 married filing jointly.
Sources and limitations
The 2026 North Carolina tax inputs on this page are based on North Carolina tax source. The estimate covers federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. It does not include local taxes, state disability or unemployment withholding, tax credits, pre-tax benefits, or employer-specific deductions.
Review the full calculation methodology and tax sources.
Compare other states
Frequently asked questions
Does North Carolina have a state income tax?
North Carolina charges a flat 4% state income tax, withheld on top of federal income tax and FICA.
What is the North Carolina income tax rate?
North Carolina uses a single flat rate of 4% on taxable income. The same rate applies regardless of how much you earn.
How much is taken out of a paycheck in North Carolina?
Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) are withheld nationwide. In addition, North Carolina withholds state income tax as described above. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate based on your salary.