Tag & Tax Together

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North Carolina's Tag & Tax Together program combines the billing of annual vehicle registration fees and vehicle property taxes so that they can be paid together. (Inspection fees are still paid to the inspection station.)

While a vehicle’s registration renewal fee remains the same each year, the property tax may vary. The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles’ vehicle property tax calculator can provide an estimated amount of the property tax, but it should not be used to determine the actual bill, which is determined based on other factors.

Registration fees and property taxes can be paid at any NCDMV license plate agency, by mail or online.

Although NCDMV accepts the payments, questions about vehicle property taxes should be directed to the tax office in the county where the vehicle is registered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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• I just bought a car. Will I owe vehicle property taxes?
  ​Yes, but you have the option to defer tax payment by getting a limited registration plate, which expires 60 days from the date of issue. You must pay the property tax by the time the sticker on the plate expires.
• I just moved to North Carolina. Do I have to pay vehicle property taxes this year?
  ​Yes, but you have the option to defer tax payment by getting a limited registration plate, which expires 60 days from the date of issue. You must pay the property tax by the time the sticker on the plate expires.
• Can I renew my vehicle registration without paying my property tax?
  ​No. You must pay both your vehicle’s registration and the property tax at the same time. The only exceptions are if you have just bought a vehicle or have just moved to North Carolina.
• I pay my property tax with my mortgage. Does the Tax & Tag Together program include my home or mortgage property tax?
  ​No. The Tag & Tax Together program is only for personal property taxes on your vehicle and does not affect your mortgage or home property tax.
• Are the vehicle property taxes for the upcoming year or the preceding year?
  ​Taxes due on the combined notice are for the upcoming year, covering the same period as the vehicle registration.
• Do I have to pay more than once a year?
  ​It is important to look at the tax year rather than the calendar year. Although it is possible to pay twice in a calendar year, no vehicle owner will pay twice in the same tax year or for the same 12-month period.
• Will I receive a notice if I have moved since I last registered my vehicle?
  If you changed your address with NCDMV, you should receive your combined notice at your new address. If you haven’t, you may not receive the renewal notice.
  
  If you have moved since your last renewal, your vehicle property tax may need to be recalculated. DO NOT SEND YOUR RENEWAL AND PAYMENT BY MAIL. Visit an NCDMV license plate agency to receive a corrected tag and tax fee.
• Can I pay my vehicle property tax at my county tax office?
  ​No. All vehicle property taxes are to be paid to NCDMV. However, any questions about your vehicle property tax should be directed to your county tax office.

Last updated Sep. 14, 2020