North Carolina Paycheck Calculator
See take-home pay after federal and North Carolina withholding and FICA on the 2026 tax tables, and what the paycheck costs you in payroll taxes. Free, no sign-up.
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A North Carolina paycheck, worked out
$60,000 a year, paid biweekly, single, no other W-4 entries.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 |
| Federal income tax | −$193.08 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$143.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$33.46 |
| North Carolina income tax | −$74.33 |
| Take-home pay | $1,863.74 |
| Employer taxes on top | $213.47 |
North Carolina 4.09% after the $12,750 standard deduction and $2,500 per allowance (NC-30, 2026).
Payroll taxes in North Carolina
| Tax | Who pays | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | Employee | From the W-4 and IRS Pub 15-T |
| Social Security | Both | 6.2% each, up to $184,500 of wages |
| Medicare | Both | 1.45% each; the employee pays 0.9% more over $200,000 |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | Employer | 0.6% of the first $7,000 |
| North Carolina unemployment | Employer | 1.00% for new employers, on the first $34,200.00 |
| North Carolina income tax | Employee | The state's 2026 withholding formula |
Sources: IRS Pub 15 and 15-T (2026), US DOL state unemployment provisions (January 2026), the state's withholding instructions.
North Carolina pay rules to know
| Rule | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Federal ($7.25) |
| How often to pay | At least monthly. Daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly. |
| Final paycheck | Next regular payday. For any separation. |
| New hire reporting | Within 20 days, to NC Directory of New Hires (NCDHHS Child Support Services) |
From the state facts of our compliance guides.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. North Carolina 4.09% after the $12,750 standard deduction and $2,500 per allowance (NC-30, 2026). The calculator withholds it with the federal taxes.
Paid biweekly to a single filer with no other W-4 entries, a $2,307.69 check has $193.08 of federal income tax, $143.08 of Social Security, $33.46 of Medicare and $74.33 of North Carolina income tax. Take-home pay is $1,863.74.
Yes. Next to the take-home pay it shows the employer's payroll taxes in North Carolina: the Social Security and Medicare match, federal unemployment, and North Carolina unemployment tax at the new employer rate or the rate the state gave you. Use it as the North Carolina payroll calculator (NC) for one check or the whole year.
1.00% on the first $34,200.00 of each employee's wages in 2026, until the state assigns your own rate.
A federal Form W-4 and the state form: Form NC-4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate). Report the hire to the state within 20 days.
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