United States · Excise Tax
North Carolina levies its real estate excise tax at $1 per $500 of the sale price — 0.2%, a flat rate with no bands and no exemptions for first-time buyers. On a $320,000 home that is $640. The tax is collected at the register of deeds when the deed is recorded, and the seller normally pays it unless the contract assigns it to the buyer. Closing costs otherwise skew to title insurance, lender fees, and the state's attorney-driven closing process, which is more common here than in most US states.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $320,000.00
North Carolina pays $640.00 (0.2%) vs North Carolina at $640.00 (0.2%).
Excise tax of $1 per $500 (0.2%) on the sale price, paid at registration. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | Flat 0.2% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: North Carolina Department of Revenue. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 320,000.00 purchase in North Carolina attracts about USD 640.00 in excise tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.2%. Recording fees run $50–150; attorney closings are customary, adding legal fees. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 320,640.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
Excise tax of $1 per $500 (0.2%) on the sale price, paid at registration. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with North Carolina Department of Revenue before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 320,000.00 property attracts about USD 640.00 in excise tax — an effective rate of 0.2%. Recording fees run $50–150; attorney closings are customary, adding legal fees.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
There is no general first-time buyer exemption in North Carolina at the standard indicative rates. Flat 0.2% excise tax, no banding. Check current eligibility rules with North Carolina Department of Revenue.
The buyer pays the tax in essentially every case in this market. It is payable in full before or at settlement and cannot normally be added to a mortgage, so it must be part of your cash budget alongside the deposit.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: excise tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with North Carolina Department of Revenue or a qualified local professional.
