Understanding your take-home pay in the Tar Heel State is simpler than many other states because North Carolina utilizes a flat income tax rate. However, federal taxes and FICA contributions still apply. This calculator provides an estimate based on current 2024 tax laws.
1. North Carolina Flat State Tax
Unlike states with complex tax brackets, North Carolina has moved to a flat tax system. For 2024, the state income tax rate is 4.5%. This applies to your taxable income after the NC standard deduction is applied ($12,750 for single filers and $25,500 for married couples filing jointly).
2. Federal Income Tax Brackets
Your federal tax is progressive, meaning different portions of your income are taxed at different rates (10%, 12%, 22%, etc.). Our calculator uses the 2024 IRS tax tables to estimate your federal withholding based on your filing status.
3. FICA Withholding
Every worker in NC pays into Social Security and Medicare.
Social Security: 6.2% on the first $168,600 of earnings.
Medicare: 1.45% on all earnings.
Realistic Example: Single Professional in Charlotte
If you earn a gross salary of $75,000 per year in Charlotte, NC, and file as Single:
Annual Gross: $75,000
FICA Taxes: ~$5,738
Estimated Federal Tax: ~$8,820
NC State Tax (4.5%): ~$2,801
Estimated Monthly Net Pay: ~$4,803
Note: This calculator is for estimation purposes only. Actual take-home pay may vary based on specific local taxes (though NC rarely has local income tax), insurance premiums, 401k contributions, and specific IRS adjustments.
function calculateNCGross() {
// Inputs
var grossInput = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPay').value);
var frequency = parseFloat(document.getElementById('frequency').value);
var status = document.getElementById('filingStatus').value;
var preTax = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preTax').value) || 0;
if (isNaN(grossInput) || grossInput <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid gross pay amount.");
return;
}
// Convert everything to Annual first
var annualGross = grossInput;
if (frequency !== 1) {
annualGross = grossInput * frequency;
}
var taxableGross = annualGross – preTax;
if (taxableGross < 0) taxableGross = 0;
// 1. FICA Tax (Social Security 6.2% up to 168600, Medicare 1.45%)
var ssLimit = 168600;
var ssTax = Math.min(annualGross, ssLimit) * 0.062;
var medTax = annualGross * 0.0145;
var totalFica = ssTax + medTax;
// 2. North Carolina State Tax (4.5% flat rate)
// NC Standard Deduction 2024
var ncDeduction = 12750;
if (status === 'married') ncDeduction = 25500;
if (status === 'head') ncDeduction = 19125;
var ncTaxable = annualGross – preTax – ncDeduction;
if (ncTaxable < 0) ncTaxable = 0;
var ncTax = ncTaxable * 0.045;
// 3. Federal Income Tax (Simplified 2024 Brackets)
var fedDeduction = 14600;
if (status === 'married') fedDeduction = 29200;
if (status === 'head') fedDeduction = 21900;
var fedTaxable = annualGross – preTax – fedDeduction;
if (fedTaxable < 0) fedTaxable = 0;
var fedTax = 0;
// Single Brackets Estimation
if (status === 'single') {
if (fedTaxable <= 11600) fedTax = fedTaxable * 0.10;
else if (fedTaxable <= 47150) fedTax = 1160 + (fedTaxable – 11600) * 0.12;
else if (fedTaxable <= 100525) fedTax = 5426 + (fedTaxable – 47150) * 0.22;
else if (fedTaxable <= 191950) fedTax = 17168.5 + (fedTaxable – 100525) * 0.24;
else fedTax = 39110 + (fedTaxable – 191950) * 0.32;
} else if (status === 'married') {
if (fedTaxable <= 23200) fedTax = fedTaxable * 0.10;
else if (fedTaxable <= 94300) fedTax = 2320 + (fedTaxable – 23200) * 0.12;
else if (fedTaxable <= 201050) fedTax = 10852 + (fedTaxable – 94300) * 0.22;
else fedTax = 34337 + (fedTaxable – 201050) * 0.24;
} else { // Head of Household
if (fedTaxable <= 16550) fedTax = fedTaxable * 0.10;
else if (fedTaxable <= 63100) fedTax = 1655 + (fedTaxable – 16550) * 0.12;
else if (fedTaxable <= 100500) fedTax = 7241 + (fedTaxable – 63100) * 0.22;
else fedTax = 15469 + (fedTaxable – 100500) * 0.24;
}
// Totals
var totalAnnualTaxes = fedTax + ncTax + totalFica;
var annualNet = annualGross – totalAnnualTaxes – preTax;
// Period Breakdown
var divisor = (frequency === 1) ? 1 : frequency;
var periodNet = annualNet / divisor;
var periodFed = fedTax / divisor;
var periodNC = ncTax / divisor;
var periodFica = totalFica / divisor;
// Display
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('netPayDisplay').innerText = '$' + periodNet.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('grossDisplay').innerText = '$' + (grossInput).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('fedTaxDisplay').innerText = '-$' + periodFed.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('stateTaxDisplay').innerText = '-$' + periodNC.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('ficaDisplay').innerText = '-$' + periodFica.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('deductionDisplay').innerText = '-$' + (preTax / divisor).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
}