When will the NC Sales tax on alcohol and cigarette taxes become higher?”
You’ll have to pay a little more in North Carolina the next time you purchase a computer or clothing, a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of wine. New laws took effect Tuesday raising the sales tax rate on most goods by one penny and increasing excise taxes on tobacco products, beer, wine and liquor. Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Beverly Perdue said they had no choice but to raise the taxes to close a budget gap. Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger says the higher taxes will delay the state’s economic recovery. Consumers in 91 counties now pay a combined sales tax rate of 7.75 percent. Nine other counties pay slightly more. The changes don’t apply to food. The cigarette tax is now 45 cents a pack.
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina consumers are about to feel another pinch in their wallets at the mall, the convenience store and most every retailer in between. The state’s sales tax goes up a full penny Tuesday, bringing the total rate charged in most counties to 7.75 percent. At the same time, cigarettes, beer, wine and liquor will have higher excise taxes, all of which are likely to be passed on to retail buyers. Lawmakers and Gov. Beverly Perdue agreed to raise these taxes in early August as part of a $991 million package designed to narrow a portion of a budget gap for this year projected by Democratic leaders at more than $4 billion. The rest of the gap was closed with federal stimulus dollars and spending cuts. Similar stories: • A glance at Tuesday’s higher NC taxes A glance at Tuesday’s higher NC taxes A brief look at the additional North Carolina taxes that take effect Tuesday: – the state’s portion of the sales tax rises by 1 percentage point, expiring in July 2011. Consume
