North Carolina Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your North Carolina take-home pay for 2026, the year the state's flat income tax drops to 3.99%. Enter salary or hourly pay to see federal tax, FICA, NC tax and net pay per check, month and year.
Last updated:
Paid at 1.5× your rate
Married filing separately: choose Single
$2,200 per child under 17, $500 per other dependent
2026 flat rate; 4.25% in 2025
$2,500 each
Capped at the 2026 limit of $24,500
Section 125 deductions
Roth 401(k), union dues, garnishments
How to use the North Carolina Paycheck Calculator
- Enter your pay: salary, or hourly rate and weekly hours.
- Select pay frequency and filing status; NC uses the same status for its standard deduction.
- Enter NC-4 allowances if you claimed any (most people claim 0 or 1).
- Add your 401(k) % and per-check health or other deductions.
- Press Calculate take-home pay to see the full NC paycheck breakdown.
North Carolina paycheck formula
- NC taxable income = wages − 401(k) − section 125 − NC standard deduction − $2,500 × NC-4 allowances
- NC tax = NC taxable income × 3.99% (2026)
- Net pay = gross − pre-tax deductions − federal − FICA − NC tax − after-tax deductions
Example: a head of household earning $85,000 with one NC-4 allowance has NC taxable income of $85,000 − $19,125 − $2,500 = $63,375. NC tax is $2,528.66 a year in 2026, compared with $2,693.44 at the 2025 rate of 4.25%, a saving of $164.78.
North Carolina rate history and the 2026 cut
| Tax year | Flat rate | NC tax on $60,000 (single) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4.99% | $2,357.78 |
| 2023 | 4.75% | $2,244.38 |
| 2024 | 4.50% | $2,126.25 |
| 2025 | 4.25% | $2,008.13 |
| 2026 | 3.99% | $1,885.27 |
Figures use the $12,750 single standard deduction and no other deductions. Use the "Compare 2025 rate" preset to see how much the cut changes your own paycheck.
NC standard deduction by filing status
| Filing status | NC standard deduction | Federal 2026 standard deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Single / married filing separately | $12,750 | $16,100 |
| Head of household | $19,125 | $24,150 |
| Married filing jointly | $25,500 | $32,200 |
North Carolina also has a child deduction on the D-400 return that is not part of payroll withholding, which is one reason many NC families get a small state refund.
Frequently asked questions
What is the North Carolina income tax rate in 2026?
North Carolina has a flat individual income tax. Under the schedule set in 2023, the rate fell from 4.5% in 2024 to 4.25% in 2025 and 3.99% for tax years beginning in 2026. Further cuts depend on revenue triggers.
What is the North Carolina standard deduction?
The NC standard deduction is $12,750 for single filers and married filing separately, $19,125 for head of household and $25,500 for married couples filing jointly. It is smaller than the federal standard deduction, so NC taxable income is usually higher than federal.
What are NC-4 allowances worth?
Each allowance on Form NC-4 lowers the wages subject to North Carolina withholding by $2,500 a year. At 3.99% that is about $100 less NC tax withheld per year per allowance.
Do Charlotte, Raleigh or other NC cities have income tax?
No. North Carolina counties and cities do not levy an income tax on wages, so every NC worker has the same state withholding for the same pay and NC-4.
Does North Carolina tax 401(k) contributions?
No. North Carolina starts from federal adjusted gross income, so traditional 401(k) deferrals and section 125 premiums lower NC taxable wages. Withdrawals in retirement are taxable in NC.
How much is $60,000 after taxes in North Carolina?
For a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, NC tax is ($60,000 − $12,750) × 3.99%, about $1,885 a year. After federal income tax and FICA, take-home pay is roughly $48,500, or about $1,866 every two weeks.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.