Updated October 4, 2026. Quick answer: Yes. A gain flows into North Carolina taxable income, which starts from “the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income as modified in G.S. 105-153.5”. The flat rate is set in the statute: “In 2025 4.25% After 2025 3.99%”.
The same question for dividends and interest: does North Carolina tax dividends and interest.
How North Carolina treats capital gains
| Item | What the documents say |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Taxed as ordinary income at a flat rate; no separate rate for gains is printed |
| 2025 rate | 4.25% |
| 2026 rate | 3.99% |
| Where it is written | G.S. 105-153.7 (rate), G.S. 105-153.4 (taxable income) |
A $50,000 long-term gain
A $50,000 long-term gain adds $50,000 x 4.25% = $2,125 of North Carolina tax for 2025, and $50,000 x 3.99% = $1,995 for 2026.
What changes in 2026
The statute sets the rate at 3.99% for tax years after 2025, down from 4.25% in 2025.
Federal rules
The state’s treatment sits on top of the federal one. The IRS explains the federal tax on gains in Topic no. 409, Capital Gains and Losses and Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses.
Related: whether North Carolina taxes pensions, how North Carolina taxes retirement income, the capital gains tax by state table, and the federal capital gains tax calculator.
Find the right next step for your situation
About how much do you have invested? Pick the range that fits; your next step appears immediately below.
Compare vetted advisors for investment gains
If your portfolio is $250,000 or more, this connects you (free, with no obligation to hire anyone) with 2 to 3 vetted advisors.
Before you start, what actually happens. The matching service is run by WiserAdvisor, an independent advisor-matching company. It opens on their site, asks for your ZIP code and a few questions, and matches you with 2 to 3 vetted advisors. It is free to you.
WiserAdvisor states the service is built for portfolios of $250,000 and above. By submitting, you consent to emails, phone calls and text messages from WiserAdvisor and up to three advisors, so expect to be contacted. Clear Money Guide may earn a referral payment for a qualifying completed form, whether or not you ever hire anyone.
Opens on WiserAdvisor’s site in a new tab.
See how an advisor plans your sales
Price the destination before you decide. The matching service below introduces you to advisers who pay to meet you.
Before you start, what actually happens. The form is run by Kapitalwise, our advisor-matching partner. Kapitalwise sends your details to advisers who pay for the introduction, so expect calls and texts. Clear Money Guide may earn a referral payment through this service, whether or not you ever hire anyone. This is free to you and there is no obligation to hire anyone.
The Kapitalwise form opens here; you stay on this page.
What happens when you press the button
It asks about nine questions: age, investable assets, location; then your name, email and phone number, and verifies the phone by text. Nothing loads and nothing reaches Kapitalwise until you press the button.
Prefer flat-fee or hourly pricing instead? Compare ranges here.
Answer againSources
- G.S. 105-153.7 Individual income tax imposed: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_105/GS_105-153.7.html
- G.S. 105-153.4 North Carolina taxable income defined: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_105/GS_105-153.4.html
- G.S. 105-153.3 Definitions: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_105/GS_105-153.3.html
Sources: the primary documents linked above, read on October 4, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the plan administrator or the agency itself is the right place to confirm anything consequential.