Taxes in Concord
Concord residents pay North Carolina's flat, falling state income tax rate plus a combined county-and-city property tax that runs somewhat above the Cabarrus County average, along with the standard 7.0% combined sales tax rate for the county.
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Learn moreNorth Carolina's flat, falling state income tax
North Carolina levies a single flat personal income tax rate, not graduated brackets -- 3.99% for tax year 2026, down from 4.99% in 2022 as part of a legislated multi-year phase-down, with further cuts to 3.49% (2027) and 2.99% (2028) scheduled but contingent on the state hitting statutory General Fund revenue-growth triggers each year (per the north-carolina.js state record). This applies uniformly to Concord residents; there is no city-level income tax layered on top.
Property tax: county and city rates both apply, and Concord runs above the county average
Cabarrus County's average effective property tax rate is cited around 0.73%, while Concord specifically is estimated at a higher 0.81% effective rate -- a median $2,659/year on a $327,600 home, about 11% above the county average, reflecting the additional municipal rate layered on top of the county rate inside city limits. No single NCDOR-confirmed dollars-per-$100 municipal rate was independently verified this pass; see buying-a-home for the same disclosed gap and confirm the exact combined rate for a specific parcel with Cabarrus County Tax Administration.
Combined sales tax and the 65+/disabled property tax exclusion
The combined sales tax rate for Cabarrus County is 7.0% -- the state's 4.75% base rate plus a 2.25% county rate. Separately, North Carolina's statewide homestead exclusion removes the greater of $25,000 or 50% of appraised value from property tax for owners 65+ or disabled with 2026 income at or below $38,800 (June 1 filing deadline) -- see buying-a-home for the fuller detail.
No Social Security tax, but other retirement income is taxed at the flat rate
North Carolina exempts Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits from state income tax entirely, and fully exempts qualifying government and military pensions -- but taxes other retirement income (401(k)/IRA withdrawals, private pensions) at the same flat rate as ordinary income. This is a real, retiree-relevant distinction covered further in the retiring topic.
Key takeaways
- North Carolina's flat state income tax rate is 3.99% for 2026, down from 4.99% in 2022, with further legislated (but revenue-trigger-contingent) cuts to 3.49% (2027) and 2.99% (2028) -- applies uniformly statewide, with no Concord-specific city income tax.
- Cabarrus County's average effective property tax rate is cited around 0.73%, with Concord itself running higher at an estimated 0.81% (about 11% above the county average) due to the added municipal rate -- confirm the exact combined figure with Cabarrus County Tax Administration for a specific parcel.
- Combined sales tax in Cabarrus County is 7.0% (4.75% state + 2.25% county).
- North Carolina exempts Social Security and qualifying government/military pensions from state income tax, but taxes other retirement account withdrawals at the same flat rate as ordinary income; a separate 65+/disabled homestead exclusion removes the greater of $25,000 or 50% of appraised value from property tax for qualifying owners.
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