Chapter 105 - Article 12

Property Subject to Taxation.

§ 105-274. Property subject to taxation.

(a) All property, real and personal, within the jurisdiction of the State shall be subject to taxation unless it is:

(1) Excluded from the tax base by a statute of statewide application enacted under the classification power accorded the General Assembly by Article V, § 2(2), of the North Carolina Constitution, or

(2) Exempted from taxation by the Constitution or by a statute of statewide application enacted under the authority granted the General Assembly by Article V, § 2(3), of the North Carolina Constitution.

(b) No provision of this Subchapter shall be construed to exempt from taxation any property situated in this State belonging to any foreign corporation unless the context of the provision clearly indicates a legislative intent to grant such an exemption. (1939, c. 310, ss. 303, 1800; 1961, c. 1169, s. 8; 1967, c. 1185; 1971, c. 806, s. 1.)

§ 105-275. Property classified and excluded from the tax base.

The following classes of property are designated special classes under Article V, Sec. 2(2), of the North Carolina Constitution and are excluded from tax:

(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 5.

(2) Tangible personal property that has been imported from a foreign country through a North Carolina seaport terminal and which is stored at such a terminal while awaiting further shipment for the first 12 months of such storage. (The purpose of this classification is to encourage the development of the ports of this State.)

(3) Real and personal property owned by nonprofit water or nonprofit sewer associations or corporations.

(4) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 5.

(5) Vehicles that the United States government gives to veterans on account of disabilities they suffered in World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam Era so long as they are owned by:

a. A person to whom a vehicle has been given by the United States government or

b. Another person who is entitled to receive such a gift under Title 38, section 252, United States Code Annotated.

(5a) A motor vehicle owned by a disabled veteran that is altered with special equipment to accommodate a service-connected disability. As used in this section, disabled veteran means a person as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2) who is entitled to special automotive equipment for a service-connected disability, as provided in 38 U.S.C. § 3901.

(6) Special nuclear materials held for or in the process of manufacture, processing, or delivery by the manufacturer or processor thereof, regardless whether the manufacturer or processor owns the special nuclear materials. The terms "manufacture" and "processing" do not include the use of special nuclear materials as fuel. The term "special nuclear materials" includes (i) uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotope 233 or in the isotope 235; and (ii) any material artificially enriched by any of the foregoing, but not including source material. "Source material" means any material except special nuclear material which contains by weight one twentieth of one percent (0.05%) or more of (i) uranium, (ii) thorium, or (iii) any combination thereof. Provided however, that to qualify for this exemption no such nuclear materials shall be discharged into any river, creek or stream in North Carolina. The classification and exclusion provided for herein shall be denied to any manufacturer, fabricator or processor who permits burial of such material in North Carolina or who permits the discharge of such nuclear materials into the air or into any river, creek or stream in North Carolina if such discharge would contravene in any way the applicable health and safety standards established and enforced by the Department of Environmental Quality or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The most stringent of these standards shall govern.

(7) Real and personal property that is:

a. Owned either by a nonprofit corporation formed under the provisions of Chapter 55A of the General Statutes or by a bona fide charitable organization, and either operated by such owning organization or leased to another such nonprofit corporation or charitable organization, and

b. Appropriated exclusively for public parks and drives.

(7a) (Expiring for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2021) Real and personal property that meets each of the following requirements:

a. It is a contiguous tract of land previously (i) used primarily for commercial or industrial purposes and (ii) damaged significantly as a result of a fire or explosion.

b. It was donated to a nonprofit corporation formed under the provisions of Chapter 55A of the General Statutes by an entity other than an affiliate, as defined in G.S. 105-163.010.

c. No portion is or has been leased or sold by the nonprofit corporation.

(8) a. Real and personal property that is used or, if under construction, is to be used exclusively for air cleaning or waste disposal or to abate, reduce, or prevent the pollution of air or water (including, but not limited to, waste lagoons and facilities owned by public or private utilities built and installed primarily for the purpose of providing sewer service to areas that are predominantly residential in character or areas that lie outside territory already having sewer service), if the Department of Environmental Quality or a local air pollution control program for air-cleaning devices located in an area where the Environmental Management Commission has certified a local air pollution control program pursuant to G.S. 143-215.112 furnishes a certificate to the tax supervisor of the county in which the property is situated or to be situated stating that the Environmental Management Commission or local air pollution control program has found that the described property:

1. Has been or will be constructed or installed;

2. Complies with or that plans therefor which have been submitted to the Environmental Management Commission or local air pollution control program indicate that it will comply with the requirements of the Environmental Management Commission or local air pollution control program;

3. Is being effectively operated or will, when completed, be required to operate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit, certificate of approval, or other document of approval issued by the Environmental Management Commission or local air pollution control program; and

4. Has or, when completed, will have as its primary rather than incidental purpose the reduction of water pollution resulting from the discharge of sewage and waste or the reduction of air pollution resulting from the emission of air contaminants.

a1. Sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision shall not apply to an animal waste management system, as defined in G.S. 143-215.10B, unless the Environmental Management Commission determines that the animal waste management system will accomplish all of the following:

1. Eliminate the discharge of animal waste to surface waters and groundwater through direct discharge, seepage, or runoff.

2. Substantially eliminate atmospheric emissions of ammonia.

3. Substantially eliminate the emission of odor that is detectable beyond the boundaries of the parcel or tract of land on which the farm is located.

4. Substantially eliminate the release of disease-transmitting vectors and airborne pathogens.

5. Substantially eliminate nutrient and heavy metal contamination of soil and groundwater.

a2. Notwithstanding sub-subdivision a1. of this subdivision, sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision applies to a farm digester system as defined in G.S. 143-213(12a).

b. Real or personal property that is used or, if under construction, is to be used exclusively for recycling or resource recovering of or from solid waste, if the Department of Environmental Quality furnishes a certificate to the tax supervisor of the county in which the property is situated stating the Department of Environmental Quality has found that the described property has been or will be constructed or installed, complies or will comply with the rules of the Department of Environmental Quality, and has, or will have as its primary purpose recycling or resource recovering of or from solid waste.

c. Tangible personal property that is used exclusively, or if being installed, is to be used exclusively, for the prevention or reduction of cotton dust inside a textile plant for the protection of the health of the employees of the plant, in accordance with occupational safety and health standards adopted by the State of North Carolina pursuant to Article 16 of G.S. Chapter 95. Notwithstanding the exclusive use requirement of this sub-subdivision, all parts of a ventilation or air conditioning system that are integrated into a system used for the prevention or reduction of cotton dust, except for chillers and cooling towers, are excluded from taxation under this sub-subdivision. The Department of Revenue shall adopt guidelines to assist the tax supervisors in administering this exclusion.

d. Real or personal property that is used or, if under construction, is to be used by a major recycling facility as defined in G.S. 105-129.25 predominantly for recycling or resource recovering of or from solid waste, if the Department of Environmental Quality furnishes a certificate to the tax supervisor of the county in which the property is situated stating the Department of Environmental Quality has found that the described property has been or will be constructed or installed for use by a major recycling facility, complies or will comply with the rules of the Department of Environmental Quality, and has, or will have as a purpose recycling or resource recovering of or from solid waste.

(9) through (11) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 5.

(12) Real property that (i) is owned by a nonprofit corporation or association organized to receive and administer lands for conservation purposes, (ii) is exclusively held and used for one or more of the purposes listed in this subdivision, and (iii) produces no income or produces income that is incidental to and not inconsistent with the purpose or purposes for which the land is held and used. The taxes that would otherwise be due on land classified under this subdivision shall be a lien on the real property of the taxpayer as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The taxes shall be carried forward in the records of the taxing unit or units as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes for the preceding five fiscal years are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when the property (i) is no longer exclusively held and used for one or more of the purposes listed in this subdivision, (ii) produces income that is not incidental to and consistent with the purpose or purposes for which the land is held and used, or (iii) is sold or transferred without an easement recorded at the time of sale that requires perpetual use of the land for one or more of the purposes listed in this subdivision and that prohibits any use of the land that would generate income that is not incidental to and consistent with the purpose or purposes for which the land is held and used. In addition to the provisions in G.S. 105-277.1F, all liens arising under this subdivision are extinguished upon the real property being sold or transferred to a local, state, or federal government unit for conservation purposes or subject to an easement recorded at the time of sale that requires perpetual use of the land for one or more of the purposes listed in this subdivision. The purposes allowed under this subdivision are any of the following:

a. Used for an educational or scientific purpose as a nature reserve or park in which wild nature, flora and fauna, and biotic communities are preserved for observation and study. For purposes of this sub-subdivision, the terms "educational purpose" and "scientific purpose" are defined in G.S. 105-278.7(f).

b. Managed under a written wildlife habitat conservation agreement with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

c. Managed under a forest stewardship plan developed by the Forest Stewardship Program.

d. Used for public access to public waters or trails.

e. Used for protection of water quality and subject to a conservation agreement under the provision of the Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, Article 4, Chapter 121 of the General Statutes.

f. Held by a nonprofit land conservation organization for sale or transfer to a local, state, or federal government unit for conservation purposes.

(13) Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 904.

(14) Motor vehicles chassis belonging to nonresidents, which chassis temporarily enters the State for the purpose of having a body mounted thereon.

(15) Upon the date on which each county's next general reappraisal of real property under the provisions of G.S. 105-286(a) becomes effective, standing timber, pulpwood, seedlings, saplings, and other forest growth. (The purpose of this classification is to encourage proper forest management practices and to develop and maintain the forest resources of the State.)

(16) Non-business Property. -As used in this subdivision, the term "non-business property" means personal property that is used by the owner of the property for a purpose other than the production of income and is not used in connection with a business. The term includes household furnishings, clothing, pets, lawn tools, and lawn equipment. The term does not include motor vehicles, mobile homes, aircraft, watercraft, or engines for watercraft.

(17) Real and personal property belonging to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, or to any similar veterans organizations chartered by the Congress of the United States or organized and operated on a statewide or nationwide basis, and any post or local organization thereof, when used exclusively for meeting or lodge purposes by said organization, together with such additional adjacent real property as may be necessary for the convenient and normal use of the buildings thereon. Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirement hereinabove established, if a part of a property that otherwise meets this subdivision's requirements is used for a purpose that would require that it not be listed, appraised, assessed or taxed if the entire property were so used, that part, according to its value, shall not be listed, appraised, assessed or taxed. The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so far as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, shall not defeat the classification granted by this section.

(18) Real and personal property belonging to the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina, the Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge of North Carolina, their subordinate lodges and appendant bodies including the Ancient and Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Ancient Egyptian Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, when used exclusively for meeting or lodge purposes by said organization, together with such additional adjacent real property as may be necessary for the convenient normal use of the buildings thereon. Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirement hereinabove established, if a part of a property that otherwise meets this subdivision's requirements is used for a purpose that would require that it not be listed, appraised, assessed or taxed if the entire property were so used, that part, according to its value, shall not be listed, appraised, assessed or taxed. The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so far as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, shall not defeat the classification granted by this section.

(19) Real and personal property belonging to the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, and similar fraternal or civic orders and organizations operated for nonprofit benevolent, patriotic, historical, charitable, or civic purposes, when used exclusively for meeting or lodge purposes by the organization, together with as much additional adjacent real property as may be necessary for the convenient normal use of the buildings. Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirement of this subdivision, if a part of a property that otherwise meets this subdivision's requirements is used for a purpose that would require that it not be listed, appraised, assessed, or taxed if the entire property were so used, that part, according to its value, shall not be listed, appraised, assessed, or taxed. The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so far as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, shall not defeat the classification granted by this section. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed so as to include social fraternities, sororities, and similar college, university, or high school organizations in the classification for exclusion from ad valorem taxes.

(19a) Improvements to real property that are (i) owned by social fraternities, sororities, and similar college, university, or high school organizations and (ii) located on land owned by or allocated to The University of North Carolina or one if its constituent institutions.

(20) Real and personal property belonging to Goodwill Industries and other charitable organizations organized for the training and rehabilitation of disabled persons when used exclusively for training and rehabilitation, including commercial activities directly related to such training and rehabilitation.

(21) Repealed by Session Laws 2008-107, s. 28.11(a), effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2009.

(22) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 5.

(23) Tangible personal property imported from outside the United States and held in a Foreign Trade Zone for the purpose of sale, manufacture, processing, assembly, grading, cleaning, mixing or display and tangible personal property produced in the United States and held in a Foreign Trade Zone for exportation, either in its original form or as altered by any of the above processes.

(24) Cargo containers and container chassis used for the transportation of cargo by vessels in ocean commerce.

The term "container" applies to those nondisposable receptacles of a permanent character and strong enough for repeated use and specially designed to facilitate the carriage of goods, by one or more modes of transport, one of which shall be by ocean vessels, without intermediate reloadings and fitted with devices permitting its ready handling particularly in the transfer from one transport mode to another.

(24a) Aircraft that is owned or leased by an interstate air courier, is apportioned under G.S. 105-337 to the air courier's hub in this State, and is used in the air courier's operations in this State. For the purpose of this subdivision, the terms "interstate air courier" and "hub" have the meanings provided in G.S. 105-164.3.

(25) Tangible personal property shipped into this State for the purpose of repair, alteration, maintenance or servicing and reshipment to the owner outside this State.

(26) For the tax year immediately following transfer of title, tangible personal property manufactured in this State for the account of a nonresident customer and held by the manufacturer for shipment. For the purpose of this subdivision, the term "nonresident" means a taxpayer having no place of business in North Carolina.

(27), (28) Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 643, s. 1.

(29) Real property and easements wholly and exclusively held and used for nonprofit historic preservation purposes by a nonprofit historical association or institution, including real property owned by a nonprofit corporation organized for historic preservation purposes and held by its owner exclusively for sale under an historic preservation agreement to be prepared and recorded, at the time of sale, under the provisions of the Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, Article 4, Chapter 121 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

(29a) Land that is within an historic district and is held by a nonprofit corporation organized for historic preservation purposes for use as a future site for an historic structure that is to be moved to the site from another location. Property may be classified under this subdivision for no more than five years. The taxes that would otherwise be due on land classified under this subdivision shall be a lien on the real property of the taxpayer as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The taxes shall be carried forward in the records of the taxing unit or units as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when an historic structure is not moved to the property within five years from the first day of the fiscal year the property was classified under this subdivision. In addition to the provisions in G.S. 105-277.1F, all liens arising under this subdivision are extinguished upon the location of an historic structure on the site within the time period allowed under this subdivision.

(30) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 5.

(31) Intangible personal property other than software not otherwise excluded by subdivision (40) of this section.

(31a) through (31d) Repealed by Session Laws 1997-23, s. 3.

(31e) Repealed by Session Laws 2018-98, s. 1(a), effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2019.

(32) Recodified as G.S. 105-278.6A by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 29A.18(a), effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 1998.

(32a) Inventories owned by contractors.

(33) Inventories owned by manufacturers.

(34) Inventories owned by retail and wholesale merchants.

(35) Severable development rights, as defined in G.S. 136-66.11(a), when severed and evidenced by a deed recorded in the office of the register of deeds pursuant to G.S. 136-66.11(c).

(36) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-474, s. 8, effective November 29, 2001.

(37) Poultry and livestock and feed used in the production of poultry and livestock.

(38) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-474, s. 8, effective November 29, 2001.

(39) Real and personal property that is: (i) owned by a nonprofit corporation organized upon the request of a State or local government unit for the sole purpose of financing projects for public use, (ii) leased to a unit of State or local government whose property is exempt from taxation under G.S. 105-278.1, and (iii) used in whole or in part for a public purpose by the unit of State or local government. If only part of the property is used for a public purpose, only that part is excluded from the tax. This subdivision does not apply if any distributions are made to members, officers, or directors of the nonprofit corporation.

(39a) A correctional facility, including construction in progress, that is located on land owned by the State and is constructed pursuant to a contract with the State, and any leasehold interest in the land owned by the State upon which the correctional facility is located.

(40) Computer software and any documentation related to the computer software. As used in this subdivision, the term "computer software" means any program or routine used to cause a computer to perform a specific task or set of tasks. The term includes system and application programs and database storage and management programs.

The exclusion established by this subdivision does not apply to computer software and its related documentation if the computer software meets one or more of the following descriptions:

a. It is embedded software. "Embedded software" means computer instructions, known as microcode, that reside permanently in the internal memory of a computer system or other equipment and are not intended to be removed without terminating the operation of the computer system or equipment and removing a computer chip, a circuit, or another mechanical device.

b. It is purchased or licensed from a person who is unrelated to the taxpayer and it is capitalized on the books of the taxpayer in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including financial accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. A person is unrelated to a taxpayer if (i) the taxpayer and the person are not subject to any common ownership, either directly or indirectly, and (ii) neither the taxpayer nor the person has any ownership interest, either directly or indirectly, in the other. The foregoing does not include development of software or any modifications to software, whether done internally by the taxpayer or externally by a third party, to meet the customer's specified needs.

This subdivision does not affect the value or taxable status of any property that is otherwise subject to taxation under this Subchapter.

The provisions of the exclusion established by this subdivision are not severable. If any provision of this subdivision or its application is held invalid, the entire subdivision is repealed.

(41) Repealed by Session Laws 2012-120, s. 1(a), effective October 1, 2012.

(42) A vehicle that is offered at retail for short-term lease or rental and is owned or leased by an entity engaged in the business of leasing or renting vehicles to the general public for short-term lease or rental. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "short-term lease or rental" shall have the same meaning as in G.S. 105-187.1, and the term "vehicle" shall have the same meaning as in G.S. 153A-156(e) and G.S. 160A-215.1(e). A gross receipts tax as set forth by G.S. 153A-156 and G.S. 160A-215.1 is substituted for and replaces the ad valorem tax previously levied on these vehicles.

(42a) Heavy equipment on which a gross receipts tax may be imposed under G.S. 153A-156.1 and G.S. 160A-215.2.

(43) Real or tangible personal property that is subject to a capital lease pursuant to G.S. 115C-531.

(44) Free samples of drugs that are required by federal law to be dispensed only on prescription and are given to physicians and other medical practitioners to dispense free of charge in the course of their practice.

(44a) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Vaccines.

(45) Eighty percent (80%) of the appraised value of a solar energy electric system. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "solar energy electric system" means all equipment used directly and exclusively for the conversion of solar energy to electricity.

(46) Real and personal property that is occupied by a charter school and is wholly and exclusively used for educational purposes as defined in G.S. 105-278.4(f), regardless of the ownership of the property.

(47) Energy mineral interest in property for which a permit has not been issued under G.S. 113-395. For the purposes of this subdivision, "energy mineral" has the same meaning as in G.S. 105-187.76.

(48) Real and personal property located on lands held in trust by the United States for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, regardless of ownership.

(49) A mobile classroom or modular unit that is occupied by a school and is wholly and exclusively used for educational purposes, as defined in G.S. 105-278.4(f), regardless of the ownership of the property. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "school" means a public school, including any school operated by a local board of education in a local school administrative unit; a regional school; a nonprofit nonpublic school regulated under Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes; or a community college established under Article 2 of Chapter 115D of the General Statutes. (1939, c. 310, s. 303; 1961, c. 1169, s. 8; 1967, c. 1185; 1971, c. 806, s. 1; c. 1121, s. 3; 1973, cc. 290, 451; c. 476, s. 128; c. 484; c. 695, s. 1; c. 790, s. 1; cc. 904, 962, 1028, 1034, 1077; c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1264, s. 1; 1975, cc. 566, 755; c. 764, s. 6; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; c. 782, s. 2; c. 1001, ss. 1, 2; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1200, s. 4; 1979, c. 200, s. 1; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1092; 1981, c. 86, s. 1; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1244, ss. 1, 2; 1983, c. 643, ss. 1, 2; c. 693; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1060; 1985, c. 510, s. 1; c. 656, s. 37; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 982, s. 18; 1987, c. 356; c. 622, s. 2; c. 747, s. 8; c. 777, s. 6; c. 813, ss. 5, 6, 22; c. 850, s. 17; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1041, s. 1.1; 1989, c. 148, s. 4; c. 168, s. 6; c. 705; c. 723, s. 1; c. 727, ss. 28, 29; 1991, c. 717, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 975, s. 2; 1993, c. 459, s. 2; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 745, s. 39; 1995, c. 41, s. 2; c. 509, s. 51; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 646, s. 12; 1997-23, ss. 1, 3, 9; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 1997-456, s. 27; 1998-55, ss. 10, 18; 1998-212, s. 29A.18(a); 1999-337, s. 35(a); 2000-2, s. 1; 2000-18, s. 1, 2000-140, ss. 71, 72(a); 2001-84, s. 3; 2001-427, s. 15(a); 2001-474, s. 8; 2002-104, s. 1; 2003-284, s. 43A.1; 2007-477, s. 1; 2007-527, s. 37; 2008-35, s. 2.1; 2008-107, s. 28.11(a); 2008-134, s. 72; 2008-144, s. 1; 2008-146, ss. 4.1, 5.1; 2008-171, ss. 7(a), (b); 2009-445, s. 21; 2010-95, s. 15; 2011-123, s. 1; 2011-274, s. 1; 2012-120, s. 1(a); 2013-259, s. 1; 2013-355, s. 3; 2013-375, s. 3(a); 2014-4, s. 18; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u); 2015-262, s. 1(a); 2016-94, s. 38.6(a); 2017-204, s. 5.4(a); 2018-98, s. 1(a); 2018-114, s. 25(a); 2021-78, s. 11(h); 2021-180, s. 42.12(c).)

§ 105-275.1: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 34.15, as amended by Session Laws 2002-126, 30A.1, effective July 1, 2002.

§ 105-275.2: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 34.15, as amended by Session Laws 2002-126, 30A.1, effective July 1, 2002.

§ 105-276. Taxation of intangible personal property.

Intangible personal property that is not excluded from taxation under G.S. 105-275 is subject to this Subchapter. The exclusion of a class of intangible personal property from taxation under G.S. 105-275 does not affect the appraisal or assessment of real property and tangible personal property. (1939, c. 310, s. 601; 1971, c. 806, s. 1; 1973, c. 1180; 1985, c. 656, s. 38; 1987, c. 813, s. 8; 1995, c. 41, s. 6; 1997-23, s. 2.)

§ 105-277. Property classified for taxation at reduced rates; certain deductions.

(a) through (c) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 9, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1988.

(d) All bona fide indebtedness incurred in the purchase of fertilizer and fertilizer materials owing by a taxpayer as principal debtor may be deducted from the total value of all fertilizer and fertilizer materials as are held by such taxpayer for his own use in agriculture during the current year.

(e) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 813, s. 9, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1988.

(f) Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 869, s. 1.

(g) Buildings equipped with a solar energy heating or cooling system, or both, are hereby designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution. Such buildings shall be assessed for taxation in accordance with each county's schedules of value for buildings equipped with conventional heating or cooling systems and no additional value shall be assigned for the difference in cost between a solar energy heating or cooling system and a conventional system typically found in the county. As used in this classification, the term "system" includes all controls, tanks, pumps, heat exchangers and other equipment used directly and exclusively for the conversion of solar energy for heating or cooling. The term "system" does not include any land or structural elements of the building such as walls and roofs nor other equipment ordinarily contained in the structure.

(h) Private Water Companies. - Contributions in aid of construction and acquisition adjustments. In assessing the property of any private water company, there shall be excluded that portion of the investment of the company represented by contributions in aid of construction and by acquisition adjustments which is designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the Constitution. "Investment," "contributions in aid of construction" and "acquisition adjustment" shall have the meanings as those terms are defined in the Uniform System of Accounts specified by the North Carolina Utilities Commission for use by such private water company.

(i) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 622, s. 5. (1947, c. 1026; 1955, c. 697, s. 1; 1961, c. 1169, ss. 6, 7, 71/2; 1963, c. 940; 1971, c. 806, s. 1; 1973, c. 511, s. 4; c. 695, s. 2; 1975, c. 578; 1977, c. 869, s. 1; c. 965; 1979, c. 605, s. 1; 1985, c. 440; c. 656, ss. 52, 52.1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 947, s. 5; 1987, c. 622, s. 5; c. 813, s. 9; 2003-416, s. 20.)

§ 105-277.001: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 34.15, as amended by Session Laws 2002-126, 30A.1, effective July 1, 2002.

§ 105-277.01. Certain farm products classified for taxation at reduced valuation.

Farm products (including crops but excluding poultry and other livestock) held by or for a cooperative stabilization or marketing association or corporation to which they have been delivered, conveyed, or assigned by the original producer for the purpose of sale are hereby designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Sec. 2(2), of the North Carolina Constitution. Before being assessed for taxation the appraised valuation of farm products so classified shall be reduced by the amount of any unpaid loan or advance made or granted thereon by the United States government, an agency of the United States government, or a cooperative stabilization or marketing association or corporation. (1973, c. 695, s. 3.)

§ 105-277.02. Certain real property held for sale classified for taxation at reduced valuation.

(a) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2022) Residential Real Property. - Residential real property held for sale by a builder is designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution. For purposes of this subsection, "residential real property" is real property that is intended to be sold and used as an individual's residence immediately or after construction of a residence, and the term excludes property that is either occupied by a tenant or used for commercial purposes such as residences shown to prospective buyers as models. Any increase in value of this classified property attributable to subdivision of, improvements other than buildings, or the construction of either a new single-family residence or a duplex on the property by the builder is excluded from taxation under this Subchapter as long as the builder continues to hold the property for sale. In no event shall this exclusion extend for more than three years from the time the improved property was first subject to being listed for taxation by the builder.

(a) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Residential Real Property. - Residential real property held for sale by a builder is designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution. For purposes of this subsection, "residential real property" is real property that is intended to be sold and used as an individual's residence immediately or after construction of a residence, and the term excludes property that is either occupied by a tenant or used for commercial purposes such as residences shown to prospective buyers as models. Any increase in value of this classified property attributable to subdivision of the property, improvements other than buildings made on the property, or the construction of a new single-family residence, a townhouse, or a duplex on the property by the builder is excluded from taxation under this Subchapter as long as the builder continues to hold the property for sale. In no event shall this exclusion extend for more than three years from the time the improved property was first subject to being listed for taxation by the builder.

(b) Commercial Property. - Commercial real property held for sale by a builder is designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution. For purposes of this subsection, "commercial real property" is real property that is intended to be sold and used for commercial purposes immediately or after improvement. Any increase in value of this classified property attributable to subdivision of or other improvements made to the property, by the builder, is excluded from taxation under this Subchapter as long as the builder continues to hold the property for sale. The exclusion authorized by this subsection ends at the earlier of the following:

(1) Five years from the time the improved property was first subject to being listed for taxation by the builder.

(2) Issuance of a building permit.

(3) Sale of the property.

(c) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2019) The builder must apply for any exclusion under this section annually as provided in G.S. 105-282.1.

(c) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2019) The builder must apply for any exclusion under this section as provided in G.S. 105-282.1.

(d) In appraising property classified under this section, the assessor shall specify what portion of the value is an increase attributable to subdivision or other improvement by the builder. (2015-223, s. 2; 2019-123, s. 2; 2021-113, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.1. Elderly or disabled property tax homestead exclusion.

(a) Exclusion. - A permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying owner is designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and is taxable in accordance with this section. The amount of the appraised value of the residence equal to the exclusion amount is excluded from taxation. The exclusion amount is the greater of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) or fifty percent (50%) of the appraised value of the residence. An owner who receives an exclusion under this section may not receive other property tax relief.

A qualifying owner is an owner who meets all of the following requirements as of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the benefit is claimed:

(1) Is at least 65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled.

(2) Has an income for the preceding calendar year of not more than the income eligibility limit.

(3) Is a North Carolina resident.

(a1) Temporary Absence. - An otherwise qualifying owner does not lose the benefit of this exclusion because of a temporary absence from his or her permanent residence for reasons of health, or because of an extended absence while confined to a rest home or nursing home, so long as the residence is unoccupied or occupied by the owner's spouse or other dependent.

(a2) Income Eligibility Limit. - For the taxable year beginning on July 1, 2008, the income eligibility limit is twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). For taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2009, the income eligibility limit is the amount for the preceding year, adjusted by the same percentage of this amount as the percentage of any cost-of-living adjustment made to the benefits under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act for the preceding calendar year, rounded to the nearest one hundred dollars ($100.00). On or before July 1 of each year, the Department of Revenue must determine the income eligibility amount to be in effect for the taxable year beginning the following July 1 and must notify the assessor of each county of the amount to be in effect for that taxable year.

(b) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Code. - The Internal Revenue Code, as defined in G.S. 105-228.90.

(1a) Income. - All moneys received from every source other than gifts or inheritances received from a spouse, lineal ancestor, or lineal descendant. For married applicants residing with their spouses, the income of both spouses must be included, whether or not the property is in both names.

(1b) Owner. - A person who holds legal or equitable title, whether individually, as a tenant by the entirety, a joint tenant, or a tenant in common, or as the holder of a life estate or an estate for the life of another. A manufactured home jointly owned by husband and wife is considered property held by the entirety.

(2) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 360, s. 1.

(2a) Repealed by Session Laws 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 982, s. 20.

(3) Permanent residence. - A person's legal residence. It includes the dwelling, the dwelling site, not to exceed one acre, and related improvements. The dwelling may be a single family residence, a unit in a multi-family residential complex, or a manufactured home.

(3a) Property tax relief. - The property tax homestead exclusion provided in this section, the property tax homestead circuit breaker provided in G.S. 105-277.1B, or the disabled veteran property tax homestead exclusion provided in G.S. 105-277.1C.

(4) Totally and permanently disabled. - A person is totally and permanently disabled if the person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially precludes him or her from obtaining gainful employment and appears reasonably certain to continue without substantial improvement throughout his or her life.

(c) Application. - An application for the exclusion provided by this section should be filed during the regular listing period, but may be filed and must be accepted at any time up to and through June 1 preceding the tax year for which the exclusion is claimed. When property is owned by two or more persons other than husband and wife and one or more of them qualifies for this exclusion, each owner must apply separately for his or her proportionate share of the exclusion.

(1) Elderly Applicants. - Persons 65 years of age or older may apply for this exclusion by entering the appropriate information on a form made available by the assessor under G.S. 105-282.1.

(2) Disabled Applicants. - Persons who are totally and permanently disabled may apply for this exclusion by (i) entering the appropriate information on a form made available by the assessor under G.S. 105-282.1 and (ii) furnishing acceptable proof of their disability. The proof must be in the form of a certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina or from a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits. After a disabled applicant has qualified for this classification, the applicant is not required to furnish an additional certificate unless the applicant's disability is reduced to the extent that the applicant could no longer be certified for the taxation at reduced valuation.

(d) Ownership by Spouses. - A permanent residence owned and occupied by husband and wife is entitled to the full benefit of this exclusion notwithstanding that only one of them meets the age or disability requirements of this section.

(e) Other Multiple Owners. - This subsection applies to co-owners who are not husband and wife. Each co-owner of a permanent residence must apply separately for the exclusion allowed under this section.

When one or more co-owners of a permanent residence qualify for the exclusion allowed under this section and none of the co-owners qualifies for the exclusion allowed under G.S. 105-277.1C, each co-owner is entitled to the full amount of the exclusion allowed under this section. The exclusion allowed to one co-owner may not exceed the co-owner's proportionate share of the valuation of the property, and the amount of the exclusion allowed to all the co-owners may not exceed the exclusion allowed under this section.

When one or more co-owners of a permanent residence qualify for the exclusion allowed under this section and one or more of the co-owners qualify for the exclusion allowed under G.S. 105-277.1C, each co-owner who qualifies for the exclusion under this section is entitled to the full amount of the exclusion. The exclusion allowed to one co-owner may not exceed the co-owner's proportionate share of the valuation of the property, and the amount of the exclusion allowed to all the co-owners may not exceed the greater of the exclusion allowed under this section and the exclusion allowed under G.S. 105-277.1C. (1971, c. 932, s. 1; 1973, c. 448, s. 1; 1975, c. 881, s. 2; 1977, c. 666, s. 1; 1979, c. 356, s. 1; c. 846, s. 1; 1981, c. 54, s. 1; c. 1052, s. 1; 1985, c. 656, ss. 44, 45; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 982, ss. 19, 20; 1987, c. 45, s. 1; 1993, c. 360, s. 1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 15.1(a); 2001-308, s. 1; 2007-484, s. 43.7T(a), (b); 2007-497, ss. 1.1, 2.1, 2.2; 2008-35, s. 3; 2008-107, s. 28.11(c)-(f), (i); 2009-445, s. 22(a).)

§ 105-277.1A: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 34.15, as amended by Session Laws 2002-126, 30A.1, effective July 1, 2002.

§ 105-277.1B. Property tax homestead circuit breaker.

(b) Definitions. - The definitions provided in G.S. 105-277.1 apply to this section.

(d) Qualifying Owner. - For the purpose of qualifying for the property tax homestead circuit breaker under this section, a qualifying owner is an owner who meets all of the following requirements as of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the benefit is claimed:

(1) The owner has an income for the preceding calendar year of not more than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the income eligibility limit specified in subsection (c) of this section.

(2) The owner has owned the property as a permanent residence for at least five consecutive years and has occupied the property as a permanent residence for at least five years.

(3) The owner is at least 65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled.

(4) The owner is a North Carolina resident.

(e) Multiple Owners. - A permanent residence owned and occupied by husband and wife is entitled to the full benefit of the property tax homestead circuit breaker notwithstanding that only one of them meets the length of occupancy and ownership requirements and the age or disability requirement of this section. When a permanent residence is owned and occupied by two or more persons other than husband and wife, no property tax homestead circuit breaker is allowed unless all of the owners qualify and elect to defer taxes under this section.

(f) Tax Limitation. - A qualifying owner may defer the portion of the principal amount of tax that is imposed for the current tax year on his or her permanent residence and exceeds the percentage of the qualifying owner's income set out in the table in this subsection. If a permanent residence is subject to tax by more than one taxing unit and the total tax liability exceeds the tax limit imposed by this section, then both the taxes due under this section and the taxes deferred under this section must be apportioned among the taxing units based upon the ratio each taxing unit's tax rate bears to the total tax rate of all units.

Income Over Income Up To Percentage

-0- Income Eligibility Limit 4.0%

Income Eligibility Limit 150% of Income Eligibility Limit 5.0%

(g) Temporary Absence. - An otherwise qualifying owner does not lose the benefit of this circuit breaker because of a temporary absence from his or her permanent residence for reasons of health, or because of an extended absence while confined to a rest home or nursing home, so long as the residence is unoccupied or occupied by the owner's spouse or other dependent.

(h) Deferred Taxes. - The difference between the taxes due under this section and the taxes that would have been payable in the absence of this section are a lien on the real property of the taxpayer as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The difference in taxes must be carried forward in the records of each taxing unit as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes for the preceding three fiscal years are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event described in subsection (i) of this section. On or before September 1 of each year, the collector must send to the mailing address of a residence on which taxes have been deferred a notice stating the amount of deferred taxes and interest that would be due and payable upon the occurrence of a disqualifying event.

(i) Disqualifying Events. - Each of the following constitutes a disqualifying event:

(1) The owner transfers the residence. Transfer of the residence is not a disqualifying event if (i) the owner transfers the residence to a co-owner of the residence or, as part of a divorce proceeding, to his or her spouse and (ii) that individual occupies or continues to occupy the property as his or her permanent residence.

(2) The owner dies. Death of the owner is not a disqualifying event if (i) the owner's share passes to a co-owner of the residence or to his or her spouse and (ii) that individual occupies or continues to occupy the property as his or her permanent residence.

(3) The owner ceases to use the property as a permanent residence.

(j) Gap in Deferral. - If an owner of a residence on which taxes have been deferred under this section is not eligible for continued deferral for a tax year, the deferred taxes are carried forward and are not due and payable until a disqualifying event occurs. If the owner of the residence qualifies for deferral after one or more years in which he or she did not qualify for deferral and a disqualifying event occurs, the years in which the owner did not qualify are disregarded in determining the preceding three years for which the deferred taxes are due and payable.

(k) Repealed by Session Laws 2008-35, s. 1.2, effective July 1, 2008.

(l) Creditor Limitations. - A mortgagee or trustee that elects to pay any tax deferred by the owner of a residence subject to a mortgage or deed of trust does not acquire a right to foreclose as a result of the election. Except for requirements dictated by federal law or regulation, any provision in a mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement that prohibits the owner from deferring taxes on property under this section is void.

(m) Construction. - This section does not affect the attachment of a lien for personal property taxes against a tax-deferred residence.

(n) Application. - An application for property tax relief provided by this section should be filed during the regular listing period, but may be filed and must be accepted at any time up to and through June 1 preceding the tax year for which the relief is claimed. Persons may apply for this property tax relief by entering the appropriate information on a form made available by the assessor under G.S. 105-282.1. (2007-484, s. 43.7T(b); 2007-497, s. 2.3; 2008-35, s. 1.2; 2009-445, s. 22(b).)

§ 105-277.1C. Disabled veteran property tax homestead exclusion.

(a) Classification. - A permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying owner is designated a special class of property under Article V, Section 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and is taxable in accordance with this section. The first forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of appraised value of the residence is excluded from taxation. A qualifying owner who receives an exclusion under this section may not receive other property tax relief.

(b) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Disabled veteran. - A veteran of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States whose character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions and who satisfies one of the following requirements:

a. As of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the exclusion allowed by this section is claimed, the veteran had received benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 2101.

b. The veteran has received a certification by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or another federal agency indicating that, as of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the exclusion allowed by this section is claimed, he or she has a service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

c. The veteran is deceased and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or another federal agency has certified that, as of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the exclusion allowed by this section is claimed, the veteran's death was the result of a service-connected condition.

(2) Repealed by Session Laws 2009-445, s. 22(c), effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2009.

(3) Permanent residence. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.1.

(4) Property tax relief. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.1.

(4a) Qualifying owner. - An owner, as defined in G.S. 105-277.1, who is a North Carolina resident and one of the following:

a. A disabled veteran.

b. The surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who has not remarried.

(5), (6) Repealed by Session Laws 2009-445, s. 22(c), effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2009.

(7) Service-connected. - Defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101.

(c) Temporary Absence. - An owner does not lose the benefit of this exclusion because of a temporary absence from his or her permanent residence for reasons of health or because of an extended absence while confined to a rest home or nursing home, so long as the residence is unoccupied or occupied by the owner's spouse or other dependent.

(d) Ownership by Spouses - A permanent residence owned and occupied by husband and wife is entitled to the full benefit of this exclusion notwithstanding that only one of them meets the requirements of this section.

When one or more co-owners of a permanent residence qualify for the exclusion allowed under this section and none of the co-owners qualifies for the exclusion allowed under G.S. 105-277.1, each co-owner is entitled to the full amount of the exclusion allowed under this section. The exclusion allowed to one co-owner may not exceed the co-owner's proportionate share of the valuation of the property, and the amount of the exclusion allowed to all the co-owners may not exceed the exclusion allowed under this section.

(f) Application. - An application for the exclusion allowed under this section should be filed during the regular listing period, but may be filed and must be accepted at any time up to and through June 1 preceding the tax year for which the exclusion is claimed. An applicant for an exclusion under this section must establish eligibility for the exclusion by providing a copy of the veteran's disability certification or evidence of benefits received under 38 U.S.C. § 2101. (2008-107, s. 28.11(b); 2009-445, s. 22(c); 2010-95, s. 16; 2010-96, s. 41.)

§ 105-277.1D. (See note for repeal.) Inventory property tax deferral.

(a) Classification. - A residence constructed by a builder and owned by the builder or a business entity of which the builder is a member, as defined in G.S. 105-277.2, is designated a special class of property under Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and is taxable in accordance with this section. For purposes of this section, a "residence" is an improvement, other than remodeling, renovating, rehabilitating, or refinishing, by a builder to real property that is intended to be sold and used as an individual's residence, that is unoccupied, and for which a certificate of occupancy authorized by law has been issued.

(b) Deferred Taxes. - An owner may defer the portion of tax imposed on real property that represents the increase in value of the property attributable solely to improvements resulting from the construction by the builder of a residence on the property. The difference between the taxes due under this section and the taxes that would have been payable in the absence of this section are a lien on the real property of the taxpayer as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The difference in taxes for the fiscal years preceding the current tax year shall be carried forward in the records of the taxing unit or units as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral because of the occurrence of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs at the earliest of (i) when the owner transfers the residence, (ii) when the residence is occupied by the owner or by someone other than the owner with the owner's consent, (iii) five years from the time the improved property was first subject to being listed for taxation by the owner, or (iv) three years from the time the improved property first received the property tax benefit provided by this section. On or before September 1 of each year, the collector shall notify each owner to whom a tax deferral has previously been granted of the accumulated sum of deferred taxes and interest.

(c) Creditor Limitations. - A mortgagee or trustee that elects to pay any tax deferred by the owner subject to a mortgage or deed of trust does not acquire a right to foreclose as a result of the election. Except for requirements dictated by federal law or regulation, any provision in a mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement that prohibits the owner from deferring taxes on property under this section is void.

(d) Construction. - This section does not affect the attachment of a lien for personal property taxes against a tax-deferred residence.

(e) Application. - An application for property tax relief provided by this section should be filed during the regular listing period but may be filed after the regular listing period upon a showing of good cause by the applicant for failure to make a timely application, as determined and approved by the board of equalization and review or, if that board is not in session, by the board of county commissioners. An untimely application approved under this subsection applies only to property taxes levied by the county or municipality in the calendar year in which the untimely application is filed. Decisions of the county board may be appealed to the Property Tax Commission. Persons may apply for this property tax relief by entering the appropriate information on a form made available by the assessor under G.S. 105-282.1. (2009-308, s. 2; 2010-140, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.1E. Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 105-277.1F. Uniform provisions for payment of deferred taxes.

(a) Scope. - This section applies to the following deferred tax programs:

(1) G.S. 105-275(12), real property owned by a nonprofit corporation held as a protected natural area.

(1a) G.S. 105-275(29a), historic district property held as future site of historic structure.

(2) G.S. 105-277.1B, the property tax homestead circuit breaker.

(2a) (See note for repeal) G.S. 105-277.1D, the inventory property tax deferral.

(3) G.S. 105-277.4(c), present-use value property.

(4) G.S. 105-277.14, working waterfront property.

(4a) G.S. 105-277.15, wildlife conservation land.

(4b) G.S. 105-277.15A, site infrastructure land.

(5) G.S. 105-278(b), historic property.

(6) G.S. 105-278.6(e), nonprofit property held as future site of low- or moderate-income housing.

(b) Payment. - Taxes deferred on property under a deferral program listed in subsection (a) of this section are due and payable on the day the property loses its eligibility for the deferral program as a result of a disqualifying event. If only a part of property for which taxes are deferred loses its eligibility for deferral, the assessor must determine the amount of deferred taxes that apply to that part and that amount is due and payable. Interest accrues on deferred taxes as if they had been payable on the dates on which they would have originally become due.

The tax for the fiscal year that begins in the calendar year in which the deferred taxes are due and payable is computed as if the property had not been classified for that year. A lien for deferred taxes is extinguished when the taxes are paid.

All or part of the deferred taxes that are not due and payable may be paid to the tax collector at any time without affecting the property's eligibility for deferral. A partial payment is applied first to accrued interest. (2008-35, s. 2.2; 2008-107, s. 28.11(h); 2008-171, s. 2; 2009-308, s. 3; 2011-274, s. 2; 2012-79, s. 1.9; 2013-130, s. 3.)

§ 105-277.2. Agricultural, horticultural, and forestland - Definitions.

The following definitions apply in G.S. 105-277.3 through G.S. 105-277.7:

(1) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2022) Agricultural land. - Land that is a part of a farm unit that is actively engaged in the commercial production or growing of crops, plants, or animals under a sound management program. For purposes of this definition, the commercial production or growing of animals includes the rearing, feeding, training, caring, and managing of horses. Agricultural land includes woodland and wasteland that is a part of the farm unit, but the woodland and wasteland included in the unit must be appraised under the use-value schedules as woodland or wasteland. A farm unit may consist of more than one tract of agricultural land, but at least one of the tracts must meet the requirements in G.S. 105-277.3(a)(1), and each tract must be under a sound management program. If the agricultural land includes less than 20 acres of woodland, then the woodland portion is not required to be under a sound management program. Also, woodland is not required to be under a sound management program if it is determined that the highest and best use of the woodland is to diminish wind erosion of adjacent agricultural land, protect water quality of adjacent agricultural land, or serve as buffers for adjacent livestock or poultry operations.

(1) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Agricultural land. - Land that is a part of a farm unit that is actively engaged in the commercial production or growing of crops, plants, or animals under a sound management program. For purposes of this definition, the commercial production or growing of animals includes the rearing, feeding, training, caring, boarding, and managing of horses. Agricultural land includes woodland and wasteland that is a part of the farm unit, but the woodland and wasteland included in the unit must be appraised under the use-value schedules as woodland or wasteland. A farm unit may consist of more than one tract of agricultural land, but at least one of the tracts must meet the requirements in G.S. 105-277.3(a)(1), and each tract must be under a sound management program. If the agricultural land includes less than 20 acres of woodland, then the woodland portion is not required to be under a sound management program. Also, woodland is not required to be under a sound management program if it is determined that the highest and best use of the woodland is to diminish wind erosion of adjacent agricultural land, protect water quality of adjacent agricultural land, or serve as buffers for adjacent livestock or poultry operations.

(1a) Business entity. - A corporation, a general partnership, a limited partnership, or a limited liability company.

(2) Forestland. - Land that is a part of a forest unit that is actively engaged in the commercial growing of trees under a sound management program. Forestland includes wasteland that is a part of the forest unit, but the wasteland included in the unit must be appraised under the use-value schedules as wasteland. A forest unit may consist of more than one tract of forestland, but at least one of the tracts must meet the requirements in G.S. 105-277.3(a)(3), and each tract must be under a sound management program.

(3) Horticultural land. - Land that is a part of a horticultural unit that is actively engaged in the commercial production or growing of fruits or vegetables or nursery or floral products under a sound management program. Horticultural land includes woodland and wasteland that is a part of the horticultural unit, but the woodland and wasteland included in the unit must be appraised under the use-value schedules as woodland or wasteland. A horticultural unit may consist of more than one tract of horticultural land, but at least one of the tracts must meet the requirements in G.S. 105-277.3(a)(2), and each tract must be under a sound management program. If the horticultural land includes less than 20 acres of woodland, then the woodland portion is not required to be under a sound management program. Also, woodland is not required to be under a sound management program if it is determined that the highest and best use of the woodland is to diminish wind erosion of adjacent horticultural land or protect water quality of adjacent horticultural land. Land used to grow horticultural and agricultural crops on a rotating basis or where the horticultural crop is set out or planted and harvested within one growing season, may be treated as agricultural land as described in subdivision (1) of this section when there is determined to be no significant difference in the cash rental rates for the land.

(4) Individually owned. - Owned by one of the following:

a. An individual.

b. A business entity that meets all of the following conditions:

1. Its principal business is farming agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland. When determining whether an applicant under G.S. 105-277.4 has as its principal business farming agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland, the assessor shall presume the applicant's principal business to be farming agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland if the applicant has been approved by another county for present-use value taxation for a qualifying property located within the other county; provided, however, the presumption afforded the applicant may be rebutted by the assessor and shall have no bearing on the determination of whether the individual parcel of land meets one or more of the classes defined in G.S. 105-277.3(a). If the assessor is able to rebut the presumption, this shall not invalidate the determination that the applicant's principal business is farming agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland in the other county.

2. All of its members are, directly or indirectly, individuals who are actively engaged in farming agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland or a relative of one of the individuals who is actively engaged. An individual is indirectly a member of a business entity that owns the land if the individual is a member of a business entity or a beneficiary of a trust that is part of the ownership structure of the business entity that owns the land.

3. It is not a corporation whose shares are publicly traded, and none of its members are corporations whose shares are publicly traded.

4. If it leases the land, all of its members are individuals and are relatives. Under this condition, "principal business" and "actively engaged" include leasing.

c. A trust that meets all of the following conditions:

1. It was created by an individual who owned the land and transferred the land to the trust.

2. All of its beneficiaries are, directly or indirectly, individuals who are the creator of the trust or a relative of the creator. An individual is indirectly a beneficiary of a trust that owns the land if the individual is a beneficiary of another trust or a member of a business entity that has a beneficial interest in the trust that owns the land.

d. A testamentary trust that meets all of the following conditions:

1. It was created by an individual who transferred to the trust land that qualified in that individual's hands for classification under G.S. 105-277.3.

2. At the date of the creator's death, the creator had no relatives.

3. The trust income, less reasonable administrative expenses, is used exclusively for educational, scientific, literary, cultural, charitable, or religious purposes as defined in G.S. 105-278.3(d).

e. Tenants in common, if each tenant would qualify as an owner if the tenant were the sole owner. Tenants in common may elect to treat their individual shares as owned by them individually in accordance with G.S. 105-302(c)(9). The ownership requirements of G.S. 105-277.3(b) apply to each tenant in common who is an individual, and the ownership requirements of G.S. 105-277.3(b1) apply to each tenant in common who is a business entity or a trust.

(4a) Member. - A shareholder of a corporation, a partner of a general or limited partnership, or a member of a limited liability company.

(5) Present-use value. - The value of land in its current use as agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland, based solely on its ability to produce income and assuming an average level of management. A rate of nine percent (9%) shall be used to capitalize the expected net income of forestland. The capitalization rate for agricultural land and horticultural land is to be determined by the Use-Value Advisory Board as provided in G.S. 105-277.7.

(5a) Relative. - Any of the following:

a. A spouse or the spouse's lineal ancestor or descendant.

b. A lineal ancestor or a lineal descendant.

c. A brother or sister, or the lineal descendant of a brother or sister. For the purposes of this sub-subdivision, the term brother or sister includes stepbrother or stepsister.

d. An aunt or an uncle.

e. A spouse of an individual listed in paragraphs a. through d. For the purpose of this subdivision, an adoptive or adopted relative is a relative and the term "spouse" includes a surviving spouse.

(6) Sound management program. - A program of production designed to obtain the greatest net return from the land consistent with its conservation and long-term improvement.

(7) Unit. - One or more tracts of agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland. Multiple tracts must be under the same ownership and be of the same type of classification. If the multiple tracts are located within different counties, they must be within 50 miles of a tract qualifying under G.S. 105-277.3(a). (1973, c. 709, s. 1; 1975, c. 746, s. 1; 1985, c. 628, s. 1; c. 667, ss. 1, 4; 1987, c. 698, s. 1; 1995, c. 454, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 646, s. 17; 1998-98, s. 24; 2002-184, s. 1; 2004-8, s. 1; 2005-313, ss. 1, 2; 2008-146, s. 2.1; 2015-263, s. 12(a); 2022-55, s. 6(a).)

§ 105-277.3. Agricultural, horticultural, and forestland - Classifications.

(a) Classes Defined. - The following classes of property are designated special classes of property under authority of Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and must be appraised, assessed, and taxed as provided in G.S. 105-277.2 through G.S. 105-277.7.

(1) (Effective for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2023) Agricultural land. - Individually owned agricultural land consisting of one or more tracts, one of which satisfies the requirements of this subdivision. For agricultural land used as a farm for aquatic species, as defined in G.S. 106-758, the tract must meet the income requirement for agricultural land and must consist of at least five acres in actual production or produce at least 20,000 pounds of aquatic species for commercial sale annually, regardless of acreage. For all other agricultural land, the tract must meet the income requirement for agricultural land and must consist of at least 10 acres that are in actual production. Land in actual production includes land under improvements used in the commercial production or growing of crops, plants, or animals.

To meet the income requirement, agricultural land must, for the three years preceding January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed, have produced an average gross income of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000). Gross income includes income from the sale of the agricultural products produced from the land, grazing fees for livestock, the sale of bees or products derived from beehives other than honey, any payments received under a governmental soil conservation or land retirement program, and the amount paid to the taxpayer during the taxable year pursuant to P.L. 108-357, Title VI, Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004.

(1) (Effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2023) Agricultural land. - Individually owned agricultural land consisting of one or more tracts, one of which satisfies the requirements of this subdivision. For agricultural land used as a farm for aquatic species, as defined in G.S. 106-758, the tract must meet the income requirement for agricultural land and must consist of at least five acres in actual production or produce at least 20,000 pounds of aquatic species for commercial sale annually, regardless of acreage. For all other agricultural land, the tract must meet the income requirement for agricultural land and must consist of at least 10 acres that are in actual production. Land in actual production includes land under improvements used in the commercial production or growing of crops, plants, or animals.

To meet the income requirement, agricultural land must, for the three years preceding January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed, have produced an average gross income of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000). Gross income includes income from the sale of the agricultural products produced from the land, grazing fees for livestock, the sale of bees or products derived from beehives, any payments received under a governmental soil conservation or land retirement program, and the amount paid to the taxpayer during the taxable year pursuant to P.L. 108-357, Title VI, Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004.

(2) Horticultural land. - Individually owned horticultural land consisting of one or more tracts, one of which consists of at least five acres that are in actual production and that, for the three years preceding January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed, have met the applicable minimum gross income requirement. Land in actual production includes land under improvements used in the commercial production or growing of fruits or vegetables or nursery or floral products. Land that has been used to produce evergreens intended for use as Christmas trees must have met the minimum gross income requirements established by the Department of Revenue for the land. All other horticultural land must have produced an average gross income of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000). Gross income includes income from the sale of the horticultural products produced from the land and any payments received under a governmental soil conservation or land retirement program.

(3) Forestland. - Individually owned forestland consisting of one or more tracts, one of which consists of at least 20 acres that are in actual production and are not included in a farm unit.

(b) Individual Ownership Requirements. - In order to come within a classification described in subsection (a) of this section, land owned by an individual must also satisfy one of the following conditions:

(1) It is the owner's place of residence.

(2) It has been owned by the current owner or a relative of the current owner for the four years preceding January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed.

(3) At the time of transfer to the current owner, it qualified for classification in the hands of a business entity or trust that transferred the land to the current owner who was a member of the business entity or a beneficiary of the trust, as appropriate.

(b1) Entity Ownership Requirements. - In order to come within a classification described in subsection (a) of this section, land owned by a business entity must meet the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection and land owned by a trust must meet the requirements of subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(1) Land owned by a business entity must have been owned by one or more of the following for the four years immediately preceding January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed:

a. The business entity.

b. A member of the business entity.

c. Another business entity whose members include a member of the business entity that currently owns the land.

(2) Land owned by a trust must have been owned by the trust or by one or more of its creators for the four years immediately preceding January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed.

(b2) Exceptions to Ownership Requirements. - Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (b1) of this section, land may qualify for classification in the hands of the new owner if all of the conditions listed in either subdivision of this subsection are met, even if the new owner does not meet all of the ownership requirements of subsections (b) and (b1) of this section with respect to the land.

(1) Continued use. - If the land qualifies for classification in the hands of the new owner under the provisions of this subdivision, then any deferred taxes remain a lien on the land under G.S. 105-277.4(c), the new owner becomes liable for the deferred taxes, and the deferred taxes become payable if the land fails to meet any other condition or requirement for classification. Land qualifies for classification in the hands of the new owner if all of the following conditions are met:

a. The land was appraised at its present use value at the time title to the land passed to the new owner.

b. The new owner acquires the land and continues to use the land for the purpose for which it was classified under subsection (a) of this section while under previous ownership.

c. The new owner has timely filed an application as required by G.S. 105-277.4(a) and has certified that the new owner accepts liability for any deferred taxes and intends to continue the present use of the land.

(2) Expansion of existing unit. - Land qualifies for classification in the hands of the new owner if, at the time title passed to the new owner, the land was not appraised at its present-use value but was being used for the same purpose and was eligible for appraisal at its present-use value as other land already owned by the new owner and classified under subsection (a) of this section. The new owner must timely file an application as required by G.S. 105-277.4(a).

(d) Exception for Conservation Reserve Program. - Land enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program authorized by 16 U.S.C. Chapter 58 is considered to be in actual production, and income derived from participation in the federal Conservation Reserve Program may be used in meeting the minimum gross income requirements of this section either separately or in combination with income from actual production. Land enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program must be assessed as agricultural land if it is planted in vegetation other than trees, or as forestland if it is planted in trees.

(d1) Conservation Exception. - Property that is appraised at its present-use value under G.S. 105-277.4(b) shall continue to qualify for appraisal, assessment, and taxation as provided in G.S. 105-277.2 through G.S. 105-277.7 without regard to actual production or income requirements of this section as long as (i) the property is subject to a qualifying conservation easement that meets the requirements of G.S. 113A-235(a); and (ii) the taxpayer received no more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the fair market value of the donated property interest in compensation. Notwithstanding G.S. 105-277.3(b) and (b1), subsequent transfer of the property does not extinguish its present-use value eligibility as long as the property remains subject to a qualifying conservation easement. The exception provided in this subsection applies only to that part of the property that is subject to the easement.

(d2) Wildlife Exception. - When an owner of land classified under this section does not transfer the land and the land becomes eligible for classification under G.S. 105-277.15, no deferred taxes are due. The deferred taxes remain a lien on the land and are payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.15.

(d3) Site Infrastructure Exception. - When an owner of land classified under this section (i) does not transfer the land and the land becomes eligible for classification under G.S. 105-277.15A or (ii) does transfer the land but the land becomes eligible for classification under G.S. 105-277.15A within six months of the transfer, no deferred taxes are due. The deferred taxes remain a lien on the land and are payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.15A.

(e) Exception for Turkey Disease. - Agricultural land that meets all of the following conditions is considered to be in actual production and to meet the minimum gross income requirements:

(1) The land was in actual production in turkey growing within the preceding two years and qualified for present use value treatment while it was in actual production.

(2) The land was taken out of actual production in turkey growing solely for health and safety considerations due to the presence of Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome among turkeys in the same county or a neighboring county.

(3) The land is otherwise eligible for present use value treatment.

(f) Sound Management Program for Agricultural Land and Horticultural Land. - If the property owner demonstrates any one of the following factors with respect to agricultural land or horticultural land, then the land is operated under a sound management program:

(1) Enrollment in and compliance with an agency-administered and approved farm management plan.

(2) Compliance with a set of best management practices.

(3) Compliance with a minimum gross income per acre test.

(4) Evidence of net income from the farm operation.

(5) Evidence that farming is the farm operator's principal source of income.

(6) Certification by a recognized agricultural or horticultural agency within the county that the land is operated under a sound management program.

Operation under a sound management program may also be demonstrated by evidence of other similar factors. As long as a farm operator meets the sound management requirements, it is irrelevant whether the property owner received income or rent from the farm operator.

(g) Sound Management Program for Forestland. - If the owner of forestland demonstrates that the forestland complies with a written sound forest management plan for the production and sale of forest products, then the forestland is operated under a sound management program. (1973, c. 709, s. 1; 1975, c. 746, s. 2; 1983, c. 821; c. 826; 1985, c. 667, ss. 2, 3, 6.1; 1987, c. 698, ss. 2-5; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1044, s. 13.1; 1989, cc. 99, 736, s. 1; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 814, s. 29; 1995, c. 454, s. 2; 1997-272, s. 1; 1998-98, s. 22; 2001-499, s. 1; 2002-184, s. 2; 2005-293, s. 1; 2005-313, s. 3; 2007-484, s. 43.7T(c); 2007-497, s. 3.1; 2008-146, s. 2.2; 2008-171, ss. 4, 5; 2011-9, s. 1; 2013-130, s. 2; 2014-3, s. 14.14(a); 2017-108, s. 3(a); 2022-13, s. 6.1; 2023-63, s. 1(a).)

§ 105-277.4. Agricultural, horticultural and forestland - Application; appraisal at use value; notice and appeal; deferred taxes.

(a) Application. - Property coming within one of the classes defined in G.S. 105-277.3 is eligible for taxation on the basis of the value of the property in its present use if a timely and proper application is filed with the assessor of the county in which the property is located. The application must clearly show that the property comes within one of the classes and must also contain any other relevant information required by the assessor to properly appraise the property at its present-use value. An initial application must be filed during the regular listing period of the year for which the benefit of this classification is first claimed, or within 30 days of the date shown on a notice of a change in valuation made pursuant to G.S. 105-286 or G.S. 105-287. A new application is not required to be submitted unless the property is transferred or becomes ineligible for use-value appraisal because of a change in use or acreage. An application required due to transfer of the land may be submitted at any time during the calendar year but must be submitted within 60 days of the date of the property's transfer.

(a1) Late Application. - Upon a showing of good cause by the applicant for failure to make a timely application as required by subsection (a) of this section, an application may be approved by the board of equalization and review or, if that board is not in session, by the board of county commissioners. An untimely application approved under this subsection applies only to property taxes levied by the county or municipality in the calendar year in which the untimely application is filed. Decisions of the county board may be appealed to the Property Tax Commission.

(b) Appraisal at Present-use Value. - Upon receipt of a properly executed application, the assessor must appraise the property at its present-use value as established in the schedule prepared pursuant to G.S. 105-317. In appraising the property at its present-use value, the assessor must appraise the improvements located on qualifying land according to the schedules and standards used in appraising other similar improvements in the county. If all or any part of a qualifying tract of land is located within the limits of an incorporated city or town, or is property annexed subject to G.S. 160A-37(f1) or G.S. 160A-49(f1), the assessor must furnish a copy of the property record showing both the present-use appraisal and the valuation upon which the property would have been taxed in the absence of this classification to the collector of the city or town. The assessor must also notify the tax collector of any changes in the appraisals or in the eligibility of the property for the benefit of this classification. Upon a request for a certification pursuant to G.S. 160A-37(f1) or G.S. 160A-49(f1), or any change in the certification, the assessor for the county where the land subject to the annexation is located must, within 30 days, determine if the land meets the requirements of G.S. 160A-37(f1)(2) or G.S. 160A-49(f1)(2) and report the results of its findings to the city.

(b1) Notice and Appeal. - If the assessor determines that the property loses its eligibility for present-use value classification for a reason other than failure to file a timely application required due to transfer of the land, the assessor shall provide written notice of the decision as required by G.S. 105-296(i). The notice shall include the property's tax identification number, the specific reason for the disqualification, and the date of the decision. Decisions of the assessor regarding the qualification or appraisal of property under this section may be appealed to the county board of equalization and review or, if that board is not in session, to the board of county commissioners. An appeal must be made within 60 days after date of the written notice of the decision of the assessor. If an owner submits additional information to the assessor pursuant to G.S. 105-296(j), the appeal must be made within 60 days after the assessor's decision based on the additional information. Decisions of the county board may be appealed to the Property Tax Commission.

A new appeal to a decision of the assessor regarding the disqualification of property for which notice was received is not required to be submitted for subsequent tax years while the appeal of that disqualifying event is outstanding. When a property's present-use value classification is reinstated upon appeal of the disqualifying event, it is reinstated retroactive to the date the classification was revoked, as provided under G.S. 105-296(j).

If, while an assessor's decision that a property has lost its eligibility for present-use value classification is under appeal to the county board or to the Property Tax Commission, the assessor determines that the property is no longer eligible for present-use value classification because of an additional disqualifying event independent of the one that is the basis of the disqualification under appeal, the assessor shall follow the notice and appeal procedure set forth in this subsection with regard to the subsequent disqualification.

(c) Deferred Taxes. - Land meeting the conditions for classification under G.S. 105-277.3 must be taxed on the basis of the value of the land for its present use. The difference between the taxes due on the present-use basis and the taxes that would have been payable in the absence of this classification, together with any interest, penalties, or costs that may accrue thereon, are a lien on the real property of the taxpayer as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The difference in taxes must be carried forward in the records of the taxing unit or units as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes for the preceding three fiscal years are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when the land fails to meet any condition or requirement for classification or when an application is not approved.

(d) Set Exception. - Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, if property loses its eligibility for present use value classification solely due to a change in income caused by enrollment of the property in the federal conservation reserve program established under 16 U.S.C. Chapter 58, then no deferred taxes are due and the lien for the deferred taxes is extinguished.

(d1) Variable Exception. - Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, if property loses its eligibility for present-use value classification because the property is conveyed to a nonprofit organization and qualifies for exclusion from the tax base pursuant to G.S. 105-275(12) or G.S. 105-275(29) or to the State, a political subdivision of the State, or the United States, then deferred taxes are due as follows:

(1) If the property is conveyed at or below present-use value, then no deferred taxes are due, and the lien for the deferred taxes is extinguished.

(2) If the property is conveyed for more than present-use value, then a portion of the deferred taxes for the preceding three fiscal years is due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F. The portion due is equal to the lesser of the amount of the deferred taxes or the deferred taxes multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the sale price of the property minus the present-use value of the property and the denominator of which is the true value of the property minus the present-use value of the property.

(e) Repealed by Session Laws 1997-270, s. 3, effective July 3, 1997.

(f) The Department shall publish a present-use value program guide annually and make the guide available electronically on its Web site. When making decisions regarding the qualifications or appraisal of property under this section, the assessor shall adhere to the Department's present-use value program guide. (1973, c. 709, s. 1; c. 905; c. 906, ss. 1, 2; 1975, c. 62; c. 746, ss. 3-7; 1981, c. 835; 1985, c. 518, s. 1; c. 667, ss. 5, 6; 1987, c. 45, s. 1; c. 295, s. 5; c. 698, s. 6; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1044, s. 13.2; 1995, c. 443, s. 4; c. 454, s. 3; 1997-270, s. 3; 1998-98, s. 23; 1998-150, s. 1; 2001-499, s. 2; 2002-184, s. 3; 2005-313, s. 4; 2006-30, s. 4; 2008-35, s. 2.3; 2015-263, s. 12(b); 2016-76, s. 1; 2020-18, s. 8.)

§ 105-277.5. Agricultural, horticultural and forestland - Notice of change in use.

Not later than the close of the listing period following a change which would disqualify all or a part of a tract of land receiving the benefit of this classification, the property owner shall furnish the assessor with complete information regarding such change. Any property owner who fails to notify the assessor of changes as aforesaid regarding land receiving the benefit of this classification shall be subject to a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the deferred taxes and interest thereon for each listing period for which the failure to report continues. (1973, c. 709, s. 1; 1975, c. 746, s. 8; 1987, c. 45, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.6. Agricultural, horticultural and forestland - Appraisal; computation of deferred tax.

(a) In determining the amount of the deferred taxes herein provided, the assessor shall use the appraised valuation established in the county's last general revaluation except for any changes made under the provisions of G.S. 105-287.

(b) In revaluation years, as provided in G.S. 105-286, all property entitled to classification under G.S. 105-277.3 shall be reappraised at its true value in money and at its present use value as of the effective date of the revaluation. The two valuations shall continue in effect and shall provide the basis for deferred taxes until a change in one or both of the appraisals is required by law. The present use-value schedule, standards, and rules shall be used by the tax assessor to appraise property receiving the benefit of this classification until the next general revaluation of real property in the county as required by G.S. 105-286.

(c) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 295, s. 2. (1973, c. 709, s. 1; 1975, c. 746, ss. 9, 10; 1987, c. 45, s. 1, c. 295, s. 2.)

§ 105-277.7. Use-Value Advisory Board.

(a) Creation and Membership. - The Use-Value Advisory Board is established under the supervision of the Agricultural Extension Service of North Carolina State University. The Director of the Agricultural Extension Service of North Carolina State University shall serve as the chair of the Board. The Board shall consist of the following additional members, to serve ex officio:

(1) A representative of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, designated by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

(2) A representative of the North Carolina Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, designated by the Director of that Division.

(3) A representative of the Agricultural Extension Service at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, designated by the Director of the Extension Service.

(4) A representative of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, Inc., designated by the President of the Bureau.

(5) A representative of the North Carolina Association of Assessing Officers, designated by the President of the Association.

(6) The Director of the Property Tax Division of the North Carolina Department of Revenue or the Director's designee.

(7) A representative of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, designated by the President of the Association.

(8) A representative of the North Carolina Forestry Association, designated by the President of the Association.

(b) Staff. - The Agricultural Extension Service at North Carolina State University must provide clerical assistance to the Board.

(c) Duties. - The Board must annually submit to the Department of Revenue a recommended use-value manual. In developing the manual, the Board may consult with federal and State agencies as needed. The manual must contain all of the following:

(1) The estimated cash rental rates for agricultural lands and horticultural lands for the various classes of soils found in the State. The rental rates must recognize the productivity levels by class of soil or geographic area, and the crop as either agricultural or horticultural. The rental rates must be based on the rental value of the land to be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes when those uses are presumed to be the highest and best use of the land. The recommended rental rates may be established from individual county studies or from contracts with federal or State agencies as needed.

(2) The recommended net income ranges for forestland furnished to the Board by the Forestry Section of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. These net income ranges may be based on up to six classes of land within each Major Land Resource Area designated by the United States Soil Conservation Service. In developing these ranges, the Forestry Section must consider the soil productivity and indicator tree species or stand type, the average stand establishment and annual management costs, the average rotation length and timber yield, and the average timber stumpage prices.

(3) The capitalization rates adopted by the Board prior to February 1 for use in capitalizing incomes into values. The capitalization rate for forestland shall be nine percent (9%). The capitalization rate for agricultural land and horticultural land must be no less than six percent (6%) and no more than seven percent (7%). The incomes must be in the form of cash rents for agricultural lands and horticultural lands and net incomes for forestlands.

(4) The value per acre adopted by the Board for the best agricultural land. The value may not exceed one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200).

(5) Recommendations concerning any changes to the capitalization rate for agricultural land and horticultural land and to the maximum value per acre for the best agricultural land and horticultural land based on a calculation to be determined by the Board. The Board shall annually report these recommendations to the Revenue Laws Study Committee and to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(6) Recommendations concerning requirements for horticultural land used to produce evergreens intended for use as Christmas trees when requested to do so by the Department. (1973, c. 709, s. 1; 1975, c. 746, s. 11; 1985, c. 628, s. 2; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(44); c. 736, s. 2; 1997-261, s. 109; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2002-184, s. 4; 2005-313, s. 5; 2005-386, s. 1.3; 2011-145, s. 13.25(oo); 2013-155, s. 7.)

§ 105-277.8. Taxation of property of nonprofit homeowners' association.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (a1) of this section, the value of real and personal property owned by a nonprofit homeowners' association shall be included in the appraisals of property owned by members of the association and shall not be assessed against the association if each of the following requirements is met:

(1) All property owned by the association is held for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of all members of the association equally.

(2) Each member of the association has an irrevocable right to use and enjoy, on an equal basis, all property owned by the association, subject to any restrictions imposed by the instruments conveying the right or the rules, regulations, or bylaws of the association.

(3) Each irrevocable right to use and enjoy all property owned by the association is appurtenant to taxable real property owned by a member of the association.

The assessor may allocate the value of the association's property among the property of the association's members on any fair and reasonable basis.

(a1) The value of extraterritorial common property shall be subject to taxation only in the jurisdiction in which it is entirely contained and only in the amount of the local tax of the jurisdiction in which it is entirely contained. The value of any property taxed pursuant to this subsection, as determined by the latest schedule of values, shall not be included in the appraisals of property owned by members of the association that are referenced in subsection (a) of this section or otherwise subject to taxation. The assessor for the jurisdiction that imposes a tax pursuant to this subsection shall provide notice of the property, the value, and any other information to the assessor of any other jurisdiction so that the real properties owned by the members of the association are not subject to taxation for that value. The governing board of a nonprofit homeowners' association with property subject to taxation under this subsection shall provide annually to each member of the association the amount of tax due on the property, the value of the property, and, if applicable, the means by which the association will recover the tax due on the property from the members.

(b) As used in this section, "nonprofit homeowners' association" means a homeowners' association as defined in § 528(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, and "extraterritorial common property" means real property that is (i) owned by a nonprofit homeowners association that meets the requirements of subdivisions (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of this section and (ii) entirely contained within a taxing jurisdiction that is different from that of the taxable real property owned by members of the association and providing the appurtenant rights to use and enjoy the association property. (1979, c. 686, s. 1; 1987, c. 130; 2012-157, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.9. Repealed by Session Laws 2023-12, s. 4.1, effective April 3, 2023.

§ 105-277.9A. (See note for repeal) Taxation of improved property inside certain roadway corridors.

(a) Reduced Assessment. - Real property on which a building or other structure is located and that lies within a transportation corridor marked on an official map filed under Article 2E of Chapter 136 of the General Statutes is designated a special class of property under Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and is taxable at fifty percent (50%) of the appraised value of the property if the property has not been subdivided, as defined in G.S. 153A-335 or G.S. 160A-376, since it was included in the corridor.

(b) Sunset. - This section is repealed effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2021. (2011-30, s. 2.)

§ 105-277.10. Taxation of precious metals used or held for use directly in manufacturing or processing by a manufacturer.

Precious metals, including rhodium and platinum, used or held for use directly in manufacturing or processing by a manufacturer as part of industrial machinery is designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and shall be assessed for taxation in accordance with this section. The classified property shall be assessed at the lower of its true value or the manufacturer's original cost less depreciation. The original cost of the classified property shall be adjusted by the index factor, if any, that applies in assessing the industrial machinery with which the property is used, and the depreciable life of the classified property shall be the life assigned to the industrial machinery with which the property is used. The residual value of the classified property may not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the manufacturer's original cost. (1989, c. 674, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.11. Taxation of property subject to a development financing district agreement.

Property that is in a development financing district established pursuant to G.S. 160A-515.1 or G.S. 158-7.3 and that is subject to an agreement entered into pursuant to G.S. 159-108, shall, pursuant to Article V, Section 14 of the North Carolina Constitution, be assessed for taxation at the greater of its true value or the minimum value established in the agreement.(2003-403, s. 21.)

§ 105-277.12. Antique airplanes.

(a) For the purpose of this section, the term "antique airplane" means an airplane that meets all of the following conditions:

(1) It is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and is a model year 1954 or older.

(2) It is maintained primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, air shows, and other public interest functions.

(3) It is used only occasionally for other purposes.

(4) It is used by the owner for a purpose other than the production of income.

(b) Antique airplanes are designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and shall be assessed for taxation in accordance with this section. An antique airplane shall be assessed at the lower of its true value or five thousand dollars ($5,000). (1997-355, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.13. Taxation of improvements on brownfields.

(a) Qualifying improvements on brownfields properties are designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and shall be appraised, assessed, and taxed in accordance with this section. An owner of land is entitled to the partial exclusion provided by this section for the first five taxable years beginning after completion of qualifying improvements made after the later of July 1, 2000, or the date of the brownfields agreement. After property has qualified for the exclusion provided by this section, the assessor for the county in which the property is located shall annually appraise the improvements made to the property during the period of time that the owner is entitled to the exclusion.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the terms "qualifying improvements on brownfields properties" and "qualifying improvements" mean improvements made to real property that is subject to a brownfields agreement entered into by the Department of Environmental Quality and the owner pursuant to G.S. 130A-310.32.

(c) The following table establishes the percentage of the appraised value of the qualified improvements that is excluded based on the taxable year:

Year Percent of Appraised Value Excluded

Year 1 90%

Year 2 75%

Year 3 50%

Year 4 30%

Year 5 10%.

(2000-158, s. 1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)

§ 105-277.14. Taxation of working waterfront property.

(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Coastal fishing waters. - Defined in G.S. 113-129.

(2) Commercial fishing operation. - Defined in G.S. 113-168.

(3) Fish processing. - Processing fish, as defined in G.S. 113-129, for sale.

(4) Working waterfront property. - Any of the following property that has, for the most recent three-year period, produced an average gross income of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000):

a. A pier that extends into coastal fishing waters and limits access to those who pay a fee.

b. Real property that is adjacent to coastal fishing waters and is primarily used for a commercial fishing operation or fish processing, including adjacent land that is under improvements used for one of these purposes.

(b) Classification. - Working waterfront property is designated a special class of property under Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and must be appraised, assessed, and taxed on the basis of the value of the property in its present use rather than on its true value. Working waterfront property includes land reasonably necessary for the convenient use of the property.

(c) Deferred Taxes. - The difference between the taxes that are due on working waterfront property taxed on the basis of its present use and that would be due if the property were taxed on the basis of its true value is a lien on the property. The difference in taxes must be carried forward in the records of each taxing unit as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes for the preceding three fiscal years are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when the property no longer qualifies as working waterfront property.

(d) Repealed by Session Laws 2009-445, s. 23(b), effective August 7, 2009. (2007-485, s. 1; 2008-35, s. 2.4; 2009-445, s. 23(b).)

§ 105-277.15. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2022) Taxation of wildlife conservation land.

(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Business entity. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.2.

(2) Family business entity. - A business entity whose members are, directly or indirectly, individuals and are relatives. An individual is indirectly a member of a business entity if the individual is a member of a business entity or a beneficiary of a trust that is part of the ownership structure of the business entity.

(3) Family trust. - A trust that was created by an individual and whose beneficiaries are, directly or indirectly, individuals who are the creator of the trust or a relative of the creator. An individual is indirectly a beneficiary of a trust if the individual is a beneficiary of another trust or a member of a business entity that has a beneficial interest in the trust.

(4) Member. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.2.

(5) Relative. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.2.

(b) Classification. - Wildlife conservation land is designated a special class of property under Article V, Section 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and must be appraised, assessed, and taxed in accordance with this section. Wildlife conservation land classified under this section must be appraised and assessed as if it were classified under G.S. 105-277.3 as agricultural land.

(c) Requirements. - Land qualifies as wildlife conservation land if it meets the following size, ownership, and use requirements:

(1) Size. - The land must consist of at least 20 contiguous acres.

(2) Ownership. - The land must be owned by an individual, a family business entity, or a family trust and must have been owned by the same owner for the previous five years, except as follows:

a. If the land is owned by a family business entity, the land meets the ownership requirement if the land was owned by one or more members of the family business entity for the required time.

b. If the land is owned by a family trust, the land meets the ownership requirement if the land was owned by one or more beneficiaries of the family trust for the required time.

c. If an owner acquires land that was classified as wildlife conservation land under this section when it was acquired and the owner continues to use the land as wildlife conservation land, then the land meets the ownership requirement if the new owner files an application and signs the wildlife habitat conservation agreement in effect for the property within 60 days after acquiring the property.

(3) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2019) Use. - The land must meet all of the following requirements:

a. The land must be managed under a written wildlife habitat conservation agreement with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that is in effect as of January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed and that requires the owner to do one or more of the following:

1. Protect an animal species that lives on the land and, as of January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed, is on a North Carolina protected animal list published by the Commission under G.S. 113-333.

2. Conserve any of the following priority animal wildlife habitats: longleaf pine forest, early successional habitat, small wetland community, stream and riparian zone, rock outcrop, or bat cave.

b. It must have been classified under G.S. 105-277.3 when the wildlife habitat conservation agreement was signed or the owner must demonstrate to both the Wildlife Resources Commission and the assessor that the owner used the land for a purpose specified in the signed wildlife habitat conservation agreement for three years preceding the January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed.

(3) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2019) Use. - The land must meet all of the following requirements:

2. Conserve any of the following priority animal wildlife habitats: longleaf pine forest, early successional habitat, small wetland community, stream and riparian zone, rock outcrop, or bat cave.

3. Create and actively and regularly use as a reserve for hunting, fishing, shooting, wildlife observation, or wildlife activities, provided that the land is inspected by a certified wildlife biologist at least quintennially to ensure that at least three of the seven activities listed in this sub-sub-subdivision are maintained to propagate a sustaining breeding, migrating, or wintering population of indigenous wild animals for human use, including food, medicine, or recreation. The Commission shall adopt rules needed to administer the inspection requirements of and activities mandated by this sub-sub-subdivision. [The activities are as follows:]

I. Supplemental food.

II. Supplemental water.

III. Supplemental shelter.

IV. Habitat control.

V. Erosion control.

VI. Predator control.

VII. Census of animal population on the land.

b. For land used pursuant to sub-sub-subdivisions 1. or 2. of sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision, it must have been classified under G.S. 105-277.3 when the wildlife habitat conservation agreement was signed or the owner must demonstrate to both the Wildlife Resources Commission and the assessor that the owner used the land for a purpose specified in the signed wildlife habitat conservation agreement for three years preceding the January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed.

(d) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2019) Restrictions. - The following restrictions apply to the classification allowed under this section:

(1) No more than 100 acres of an owner's land in a county may be classified under this section.

(2) Land owned by a business entity is not eligible for classification under this section if the business entity is a corporation whose shares are publicly traded or one of its members is a corporation whose shares are publicly traded.

(d) (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2019) Restrictions. - The following restrictions apply to the classification allowed under this section:

(1) For land used pursuant to sub-sub-subdivision 3. of sub-subdivision a. of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section, no more than 800 acres of an owner's land in a county may be classified under this section. For all other land classified under this section, no more than 100 acres of an owner's land in a county may be classified under this section.

(e) Deferred Taxes. - The difference between the taxes that are due on wildlife conservation land classified under this section and that would be due if the land were taxed on the basis of its true value is a lien on the property. The difference in taxes must be carried forward in the records of each taxing unit as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes for the preceding three fiscal years are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the land loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when the property no longer qualifies as wildlife conservation land.

(f) Exceptions to Payment. - No deferred taxes are due in the following circumstances and the deferred taxes remain a lien on the land:

(1) When the owner of wildlife conservation land that was previously classified under G.S. 105-277.3 before the wildlife habitat conservation agreement was signed does not transfer the land and the land again becomes eligible for classification under G.S. 105-277.3. In this circumstance, the deferred taxes are payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.3.

(2) When land that is classified under this section is transferred to an owner who signed the wildlife habitat conservation agreement in effect for the land at the time of the transfer and the land remains classified under this section. In this circumstance, the deferred taxes are payable in accordance with this section.

(g) Exceptions to Payment and Lien. - Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, if land loses its eligibility for deferral solely due to one of the following reasons, no deferred taxes are due and the lien for the deferred taxes is extinguished:

(1) The property is conveyed by gift to a nonprofit organization and qualifies for exclusion from the tax base under G.S. 105-275(12) or G.S. 105-275(29).

(2) The property is conveyed by gift to the State, a political subdivision of the State, or the United States.

(h) Administration. - An owner who applies for the classification allowed under this section must attach a copy of the owner's written wildlife habitat agreement required under subsection (c) of this section. An owner who fails to notify the county assessor when land classified under this section loses its eligibility for classification is subject to a penalty in the amount set in G.S. 105-277.5. (2008-171, s. 1; 2018-95, s. 1.)

§ 105-277.15. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Taxation of wildlife conservation land.

(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Business entity. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.2.

(4) Member. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.2.

(5) Relative. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.2.

(6) Wildlife conservation land. - Land that meets the size, ownership, and use requirements of this section.

(1) Wildlife conservation land used for wildlife species protection under subdivision (c3)(1) of this section must be appraised and assessed as if it were classified under G.S. 105-277.3 as forestland.

(2) Wildlife conservation land used for wildlife habitat protection under subdivision (c3)(2) of this section must be appraised and assessed as if it were classified under G.S. 105-277.3 as forestland.

(3) Wildlife conservation land used for wildlife reserve under subdivision (c3)(3) of this section must be appraised and assessed as if it were classified under G.S. 105-277.3 as agricultural land.

(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2022-45, s. 3(b), effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022.

(c1) Size. - The land must consist of at least 20 contiguous acres located in the same county. Once the initial qualifying tract of 20 contiguous acres has been met, one or more additional acres that meet the ownership and use requirements of this section may qualify for enrollment. If the land is used for wildlife habitat protection under subdivision (c3)(2) of this section, then the additional acreage must be located in the same county as the qualifying 20-acre tract.

(c2) Ownership. - The land must be owned by an individual, a family business entity, a family trust, or a combination of one or more of the three entities as tenants in common. Tenants in common may elect to treat their individual shares as owned by them individually in accordance with G.S. 105-302(c)(9). The land must have been owned by the same owner for the previous four years, except as follows:

(1) If the land is the owner's place of residence, then it meets the ownership requirements.

(2) If an owner of land enrolled as wildlife conservation land under this section acquires additional land that shares a common boundary with the enrolled land, then the acquired land meets the ownership requirement.

(3) If the land is owned by a family business entity, the land meets the ownership requirement if the land was owned by one or more members of the family business entity for the required time.

(4) If the land is owned by a family trust, the land meets the ownership requirement if the land was owned by one or more beneficiaries of the family trust for the required time.

(5) If the land was classified as wildlife conservation land under this section when it was acquired and the owner continues to use the land as wildlife conservation land, then the land meets the ownership requirement if the new owner files an application with the county assessor within 60 days after acquiring the property and signs the wildlife habitat conservation agreement in effect for the property.

(6) If the land is owned as tenants in common, the land meets the ownership requirement if the land was owned by one or more of the tenants for the required time.

(7) If the land is acquired through transfer or inheritance from a relative, the land meets the ownership requirement if the land was owned by the relative for the required time.

(c3) Use. - The land must be managed under a written wildlife habitat conservation agreement with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that is in effect as of January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed and that requires the owner to do one or more of the following:

(1) Wildlife species protection. - Protect an animal species that lives on the land and, as of January 1 of the year for which the benefit of this section is claimed, is on a North Carolina protected animal list published by the Commission under G.S. 113-333.

(2) Wildlife habitat protection. - Conserve any of the following priority animal wildlife habitats: longleaf pine forest, early successional habitat, small wetland community, stream and riparian zone, rock outcrop, or bat cave.

(3) Wildlife reserve. - Create and actively and regularly use as a reserve for hunting, fishing, shooting, wildlife observation, or wildlife activities, provided that the land is inspected by a certified wildlife biologist at least quintennially to ensure that at least three of the seven activities listed in this subdivision are maintained to propagate a sustaining breeding, migrating, or wintering population of indigenous wild animals for human use, including food, medicine, or recreation. The Commission shall adopt rules needed to administer the inspection requirements of and activities mandated by this subdivision. The activities are as follows:

a. Supplemental food.

b. Supplemental water.

c. Supplemental shelter.

d. Habitat control.

e. Erosion control.

f. Predator control.

g. Census of animal population on the land.

(d) Restrictions. - The following restrictions apply to the classification allowed under this section:

(1) For land used as a wildlife reserve under subdivision (c3)(3) of this section, no more than 800 acres of an owner's land in a county may be classified under this section. For all other land classified under this section, no more than 200 acres of an owner's land in a county may be classified under this section.

(f) Exceptions to Payment. - No deferred taxes are due in the following circumstances and the deferred taxes remain a lien on the land:

(1) The property is conveyed by gift to a nonprofit organization and qualifies for exclusion from the tax base under G.S. 105-275(12) or G.S. 105-275(29).

(2) The property is conveyed by gift to the State, a political subdivision of the State, or the United States.

(h) Administration. - An owner who applies for the classification allowed under this section must attach a copy of the owner's written wildlife habitat agreement required under subsection (c3) of this section. An owner who fails to notify the county assessor when land classified under this section loses its eligibility for classification is subject to a penalty in the amount set in G.S. 105-277.5. (2008-171, s. 1; 2018-95, s. 1; 2022-45, s. 3(a), (b).)

§ 105-277.15A. Taxation of site infrastructure land.

(a) Classification. - Site infrastructure land is designated a special class of property under Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and must be appraised, assessed, and taxed in accordance with this section.

(b) Requirements. - Land qualifies as site infrastructure land if it meets the following size and use requirements:

(1) Size. - The land must consist of at least 100 contiguous acres.

(2) Use. - The land must meet all of the following requirements:

a. It must be zoned for industrial use, office use, or both.

b. A building permit for a primary building or structure must not have been issued for the land, and there is no primary building or structure on the land.

(c) Deferred Taxes. - An owner may defer a portion of tax imposed on site infrastructure land that represents the sum of the following: (i) the increase in value of the property attributable solely to improvements made to the site infrastructure land, if any, and (ii) the difference between the true value of the site infrastructure land as it is currently zoned and the value of the site infrastructure land as if it were zoned the same as it was in the calendar year prior to the time the application for property tax relief under this section was filed.

The difference between the taxes due under this section and the taxes that would have been payable in the absence of this section is a lien on the site infrastructure land as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The difference in taxes must be carried forward in the records of each taxing unit as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the site infrastructure land loses its eligibility for deferral because of the occurrence of a disqualifying event as follows:

(1) The deferred taxes for the preceding five fiscal years are due and payable when an amount equal to the deferred taxes is not invested in improvements to make the land suitable for industrial use, office use, or both within five years from the first day of the fiscal year the property was classified under this section.

(2) The deferred taxes for the preceding five fiscal years are due and payable when the minimum investment required by subdivision (1) of this subsection is timely made, but the land has been classified under this section for 10 years.

(3) All deferred taxes are due and payable when some or all of the site infrastructure land is rezoned for a use other than for industrial use, office use, or both.

(4) The deferred taxes for the preceding year are due and payable when the land is transferred or when a building permit for a primary building or structure for the land is issued.

(d) Notice. - On or before September 1 of each year, the collector shall notify each owner to whom a tax deferral has previously been granted of the accumulated sum of deferred taxes and interest. An owner who fails to notify the county assessor when land classified under this section loses its eligibility for classification is subject to a penalty in the amount set in G.S. 105-277.5.

(e) Exception to Payment. - No deferred taxes are due in the following circumstances, and the deferred taxes remain a lien on the land:

(1) When the owner of site infrastructure land that was previously classified under G.S. 105-277.3 does not transfer the land, and the land again becomes eligible for classification under G.S. 105-277.3. In this circumstance, the deferred taxes are payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.3.

(2) When a portion of the site infrastructure land is transferred for industrial use, office use, or both or has issued for the land a building permit for a primary building or structure for industrial use, office use, or both, and the remainder of the site infrastructure land no longer meets the size requirement of this section. In this circumstance, the deferred taxes for the remainder are payable in accordance with this section without application of the size requirement of subdivision (b)(1) of this section.

(f) Application. - An application for property tax relief provided by this section should be filed during the regular listing period but may be filed after the regular listing period upon a showing of good cause by the applicant for failure to make a timely application, as determined and approved by the board of equalization and review or, if that board is not in session, by the board of county commissioners. An untimely application approved under this subsection applies only to property taxes levied by the county or municipality in the calendar year in which the untimely application is filed. Decisions of the county board may be appealed to the Property Tax Commission. Persons may apply for this property tax relief by entering the appropriate information on a form made available by the assessor under G.S. 105-282.1. An application for property tax relief provided by this section may not be approved for any portion of site infrastructure land which has previously lost eligibility for the program.

(g) Report. - On August 1 of each year, the Secretary shall report to the Department of Commerce the number and location of site infrastructure lands qualified under this section. (2013-130, s. 1; 2014-39, s. 2(a).)

§ 105-277.16. Taxation of low-income housing property.

A North Carolina low-income housing development to which the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency allocated a federal tax credit under section 42 of the Code is designated a special class of property under Article V, Section 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and must be appraised, assessed, and taxed in accordance with this section. The assessor must use the income approach as the method of valuation for property classified under this section and must take rent restrictions that apply to the property into consideration in determining the income attributable to the property. The assessor may not consider income tax credits received under section 42 of the Code or under G.S. 105-129.42 in determining the income attributable to the property. (2008-146, s. 3.1; 2008-187, s. 47.6.)

§ 105-277.17. Taxation of community land trust property.

(a) Classification. - Community land trust property is designated a special class of property under Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and must be appraised, assessed, and taxed in accordance with this section.

(b) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Community land trust developer. - A nonprofit housing development entity that is an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Code and that transfers community land trust property to a qualifying owner.

(2) Community land trust property. - Improvements to real property that meet all of the following conditions:

a. A fee or leasehold interest in the improvements is transferred subject to resale restrictions contained in a long-term ground lease of not less than 99 years.

b. The community land trust developer retains an interest in the property pursuant to the deed of conveyance or the long-term ground lease.

(3) Ground lease. - A lease between the community land trust developer of a dwelling site, as landlord, and the owner or lessee of a permanent residence constructed on the dwelling site, as tenant. The leasehold interest of the tenant in the dwelling site includes an undivided interest and nonexclusive easement for ingress and egress to the dwelling site and for the use and enjoyment of the common areas and community facilities, if any.

(4) Income. - Defined in G.S. 105-277.1(b).

(5) Initial investment basis. - The most recent sales price, excluding any silent mortgage amount, of community land trust property.

(6) Qualifying owner. - A North Carolina resident who (i) occupies, as owner or lessee, community land trust property as a permanent residence and (ii) is part of a household, the annual income of which at the time of transfer and adjusted for family size is not more than one hundred percent (100%) of the local area median family income as defined by the most recent figures published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(7) Resale restrictions. - Binding restrictions that affect the price at which a qualifying owner's interest in community land trust property can be transferred for value to a subsequent qualifying owner or the community land trust developer.

(8) Silent mortgage amount. - The amount of debt incurred by a qualifying owner that is represented by a deed of trust or leasehold deed of trust on community land trust property and that earns no interest and requires no repayment prior to satisfaction of any interest-earning mortgage or a subsequent transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.

(9) Transfer. - Any method of disposing of an interest in real property.

(c) Valuation. - The initial appraised value of community land trust property in the year the property first qualifies for classification under this section is the initial investment basis. In subsequent general reappraisals, the value of the community land trust property shall not exceed the sum of the restricted capital gain amount and the initial investment basis. The restricted capital gain amount is the market value of the community land trust property that would be established for the current general reappraisal if not for this classification (i) adjusted to the maximum sales price permitted pursuant to the resale restrictions effective for a hypothetical sale occurring on the date of reappraisal, if less, and (ii) subtracting the initial investment basis and any silent mortgage amount. (2009-481, s. 1.)

§ 105-278. Historic properties.

(a) Real property designated as a historic property by a local ordinance adopted pursuant to former G.S. 160A-399.4 or designated as a historic landmark by a local ordinance adopted pursuant to G.S. 160D-945 or former G.S. 160A-400.5 is designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution. Property so classified shall be taxed uniformly as a class in each local taxing unit on the basis of fifty percent (50%) of the true value of the property as determined pursuant to G.S. 105-285 and 105-286, or 105-287.

(b) The difference between the taxes due on the basis of fifty percent (50%) of the true value of the property and the taxes that would have been payable in the absence of the classification provided for in subsection (a) shall be a lien on the property of the taxpayer as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The taxes shall be carried forward in the records of the taxing unit or units as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes for the preceding three fiscal years are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses the benefit of this classification as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when there is a change in an ordinance designating a historic property or a change in the property, other than by fire or other natural disaster, that causes the property's historical significance to be lost or substantially impaired. In addition to the provisions in G.S. 105-277.1F, no deferred taxes are due and all liens arising under this subsection are extinguished when the property's historical significance is lost or substantially impaired due to fire or other natural disaster. (1977, c. 869, s. 2; 1981, c. 501; 1989, c. 706, s. 3.1; 2005-435, s. 38; 2006-162, s. 28; 2008-35, s. 2.5; 2010-95, s. 17; 2021-180, s. 42.13F(a).)

§ 105-278.1. Exemption of real and personal property owned by units of government.

(a) Real and personal property owned by the United States and, by virtue of federal law, not subject to State and local taxes shall be exempted from taxation.

(b) Real and personal property belonging to the State, counties, and municipalities is exempt from taxation.

(1) A specified unit of government (federal, State, or local) includes its departments, institutions, and agencies.

(2) By way of illustration but not by way of limitation, the following boards, commissions, authorities, and institutions are units of State government:

a. Repealed by Session Laws 2021-90, s. 25(b), effective July 22, 2021.

b. The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina incorporated under the provisions of G.S. 116-3 and known as "The University of North Carolina.

c. The North Carolina Museum of Art made an agency of the State under G.S. 140-5.12.

(3) By way of illustration but not by way of limitation, the following boards, commissions, authorities, and institutions are units of local government of this State:

a. An airport authority, board, or commission created as a separate and independent body corporate and politic by an act of the General Assembly.

b. An airport authority, board, or commission created as a separate and independent body corporate and politic by one or more counties or municipalities or combinations thereof under the authority of an act of the General Assembly.

c. A hospital authority created under G.S. 131E-17.

d. A housing authority created under G.S. 157-4 or G.S. 157-4.1.

e. A municipal parking authority created under G.S. 160-477.

f. A veterans' recreation authority created under G.S. 165-26. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; 1987, c. 777, s. 1; 2005-435, s. 39; 2021-90, s. 25(b).)

§ 105-278.2. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2022) Burial property.

(a) Real property set apart for burial purposes shall be exempted from taxation unless it is owned and held for purposes of (i) sale or rental or (ii) sale of burial rights therein. No application is required under G.S. 105-282.1 for property exempt under this subsection. A county cannot deny the exemption provided under this subsection to a taxpayer that lacks a survey or plat detailing the exempt property.

(b) Taxable real property set apart for human burial purposes is hereby designated a special class of property under authority of Article V, Section 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution, and it shall be assessed for taxation taking into consideration the following:

(1) The effect on its value by division and development into burial plots;

(2) Whether it is irrevocably dedicated for human burial purposes by plat recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county in which the land is located; and

(3) Whether the owner is prohibited or restricted by law or otherwise from selling, mortgaging, leasing or encumbering the same.

(c) For purposes of this section, the term "real property" includes land, tombs, vaults, monuments, and mausoleums, and the term "burial" includes entombment. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; 1987, c. 724; 2018-113, s. 15.)

§ 105-278.2. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Burial property.

(a) Commercial Property. - Real property set apart for burial purposes that is owned and held for purposes of (i) sale or rental or (ii) sale of burial rights therein is exempt from taxation. A single application is required under G.S. 105-282.1 for property exempt under this subsection.

(b) Other Property. - Real property set apart for burial purposes not owned and held for a purpose listed in subsection (a) of this section is exempt from taxation. No application is required under G.S. 105-282.1 for property exempt under this subsection. A local government cannot deny the exemption provided under this subsection to a taxpayer that lacks a survey or plat detailing the exempt property.

(c) Terms. - For purposes of this section, the term "real property" includes land, tombs, vaults, monuments, and mausoleums, and the term "burial" includes entombment. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; 1987, c. 724; 2018-113, s. 15; 2021-180, s. 42.12(a).)

§ 105-278.3. Real and personal property used for religious purposes.

(a) Buildings, the land they actually occupy, and additional adjacent land reasonably necessary for the convenient use of any such building shall be exempted from taxation if wholly owned by an agency listed in subsection (c), below, and if:

(1) Wholly and exclusively used by its owner for religious purposes as defined in subsection (d)(1), below; or

(2) Occupied gratuitously by one other than the owner and wholly and exclusively used by the occupant for religious, charitable, or nonprofit educational, literary, scientific, or cultural purposes.

(b) Personal property shall be exempted from taxation if wholly owned by an agency listed in subsection (c), below, and if:

(1) Wholly and exclusively used by its owner for religious purposes; or

(2) Gratuitously made available to one other than the owner and wholly and exclusively used by the possessor for religious, charitable, or nonprofit educational, literary, scientific, or cultural purposes.

(c) The following agencies, when the other requirements of this section are met, may obtain exemption for their properties:

(1) A congregation, parish, mission, or similar local unit of a church or religious body; or

(2) A conference, association, presbytery, diocese, district, synod, or similar unit comprising local units of a church or religious body.

(d) Within the meaning of this section:

(1) A religious purpose is one that pertains to practicing, teaching, and setting forth a religion. Although worship is the most common religious purpose, the term encompasses other activities that demonstrate and further the beliefs and objectives of a given church or religious body. Within the meaning of this section, the ownership and maintenance of a general or promotional office or headquarters by an owner listed in subdivision (2) of subsection (c), above, is a religious purpose and the ownership and maintenance of residences for clergy, rabbis, priests or nuns assigned to or serving a congregation, parish, mission or similar local unit, or a conference, association, presbytery, diocese, district, synod, province or similar unit of a church or religious body or residences for clergy on furlough or unassigned, is also a religious purpose. However, the ownership and maintenance of residences for other employees is not a religious purpose for either a local unit of a church or a religious body or a conference, association, presbytery, diocese, district, synod, or similar unit of a church or religious body. Provided, however, that where part of property which otherwise qualifies for the exemption provided herein is made available as a residence for an individual who provides guardian, janitorial and custodial services for such property, or who oversees and supervises qualifying activities upon and in connection with said property, the entire property shall be considered as wholly and exclusively used for a religious purpose.

(2) A charitable purpose is one that has humane and philanthropic objectives; it is an activity that benefits humanity or a significant rather than limited segment of the community without expectation of pecuniary profit or reward. The humane treatment of animals is also a charitable purpose.

(3) An educational purpose is one that has as its objective the education or instruction of human beings; it comprehends the transmission of information and the training or development of the knowledge or skills of individual persons.

(4) A literary purpose is one that pertains to letters or literature, especially writing, publishing, and the study of literature. It includes the literature of the stage and screen as well as the performance or exhibition of works based on literature.

(5) A cultural purpose is one that is conducive to the enlightenment and refinement of taste acquired through intellectual and aesthetic training, education, and discipline.

(6) A scientific purpose is one that yields knowledge systematically through research, experimentation or other work done in one or more of the natural sciences.

(e) Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirement of subsection (a), above, if part of a property that otherwise meets that subsection's requirements is used for a purpose that would require exemption if the entire property were so used, the valuation of the part so used shall be exempted from taxation.

(f) The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so long as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, shall not defeat the exemption granted by this section.

(g) The following exceptions apply to the exclusive-use requirement of subsection (a) of this section:

(1) If part, but not all, of a property meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the valuation of the part so used is exempt from taxation.

(2) Any parking lot wholly owned by an agency listed in subsection (c) of this section may be used for parking without removing the tax exemption granted in this section if the total charge for parking uses does not exceed that portion of the actual maintenance expenditures for the parking lot reasonably estimated to have been made on account of parking uses. This subsection shall apply beginning with the taxable year that commences on January 1, 1978.

(3) A building and the land occupied by the building is exempt from taxation if it is under construction and intended to be wholly and exclusively used by its owner for religious purposes upon completion. For purposes of this subdivision, a building is under construction starting when a building permit is issued and ending at the earlier of (i) 90 days after a certificate of occupancy is issued or (ii) 180 days after the end of active construction. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; c. 1421; 1975, c. 848; 1977, c. 867; 2005-435, s. 59(a); 2015-185, s. 1(a).)

§ 105-278.4. Real and personal property used for educational purposes.

(a) Buildings. - Buildings, the land they actually occupy, and additional land reasonably necessary for the convenient use of any such building shall be exempted from taxation if all of the following requirements are met:

(1) Owned by either of the following:

a. An educational institution; or

b. A nonprofit entity for the sole benefit of a constituent or affiliated institution of The University of North Carolina, a nonprofit postsecondary educational institution as described in G.S. 116-280, a North Carolina community college, or a combination of these;

(2) The owner is not organized or operated for profit and no officer, shareholder, member, or employee of the owner or any other person is entitled to receive pecuniary profit from the owner's operations except reasonable compensation for services;

(3) Of a kind commonly employed in the performance of those activities naturally and properly incident to the operation of an educational institution such as the owner; and

(4) Wholly and exclusively used for educational purposes by the owner or occupied gratuitously by another nonprofit educational institution and wholly and exclusively used by the occupant for nonprofit educational purposes.

(b) Land. - Land (exclusive of improvements); and improvements other than buildings, the land actually occupied by such improvements, and additional land reasonably necessary for the convenient use of any such improvement shall be exempted from taxation if:

(1) Owned by an educational institution that owns real property entitled to exemption under the provisions of subsection (a), above;

(2) Of a kind commonly employed in the performance of those activities naturally and properly incident to the operation of an educational institution such as the owner; and

(3) Wholly and exclusively used for educational purposes by the owner or occupied gratuitously by another nonprofit educational institution (as defined herein) and wholly and exclusively used by the occupant for nonprofit educational purposes.

(c) Partial Exemption. - Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirements of subsections (a) and (b), above, if part of a property that otherwise meets the requirements of one of those subsections is used for a purpose that would require exemption if the entire property were so used, the valuation of the part so used shall be exempted from taxation.

(d) Public Use. - The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so long as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, does not defeat the exemption granted by this section.

(e) Personal Property. - Personal property owned by a church, a religious body, or an educational institution shall be exempted from taxation if:

(1) The owner is not organized or operated for profit, and no officer, shareholder, member, or employee of the owner, or any other person is entitled to receive pecuniary profit from the owner's operations except reasonable compensation for services; and

(2) Used wholly and exclusively for educational purposes by the owner or held gratuitously by a church, religious body, or nonprofit educational institution other than the owner, and wholly and exclusively used for nonprofit educational purposes by the possessor.

(f) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Educational institution. - The term includes a university, a college, a school, a seminary, an academy, an industrial school, a public library, a museum, and similar institutions.

(2) Educational purpose. - A purpose that has as its objective the education or instruction of human beings; it comprehends the transmission of information and the training or development of the knowledge or skills of individual persons. The operation of a student housing facility, a student dining facility, a golf course, a tennis court, a sports arena, a similar sport property, or a similar recreational sport property for the use of students or faculty is also an educational purpose, regardless of the extent to which the property is also available to and patronized by the general public. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 926, s. 1; 2004-173, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 9.18(f).)

§ 105-278.5. Real and personal property of religious educational assemblies used for religious and educational purposes.

(a) Buildings, the land they actually occupy, and additional adjacent land reasonably necessary for the convenient use of any such building or for the religious educational programs of the owner, shall be exempted from taxation if:

(1) Owned by a religious educational assembly, retreat, or similar organization;

(2) No officer, shareholder, member, or employee of the owner, or any other person is entitled to receive pecuniary profit from the owner's operations except reasonable compensation for services; and

(3) Of a kind commonly employed in those activities naturally and properly incident to the operation of a religious educational assembly such as the owner; and

(4) Wholly and exclusively used for

a. Religious worship or

b. Purposes of instruction in religious education.

(b) Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirement of subsection (a), above, if part of a property that otherwise meets the subsection's requirements is used for a purpose that would require exemption if the entire property were so used, the valuation of the part so used shall be exempted from taxation.

(c) The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so long as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, shall not defeat the exemption granted by this section.

(d) Personal property owned by a religious educational assembly, retreat, or similar organization shall be exempted from taxation if it is exclusively maintained and used in connection with real property granted exemption under the provisions of subsection (a) or (b), above. (1973, c. 695, s. 4.)

§ 105-278.6. Real and personal property used for charitable purposes.

(a) Real and personal property owned by:

(1) A Young Men's Christian Association or similar organization;

(2) A home for the aged, sick, or infirm;

(3) An orphanage or similar home;

(4) A Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;

(5) A reformatory or correctional institution;

(6) A monastery, convent, or nunnery;

(7) A nonprofit, life-saving, first aid, or rescue squad organization;

(8) A nonprofit organization providing housing for individuals or families with low or moderate incomes

shall be exempted from taxation if: (i) As to real property, it is actually and exclusively occupied and used, and as to personal property, it is entirely and completely used, by the owner for charitable purposes; and (ii) the owner is not organized or operated for profit.

(b) A charitable purpose within the meaning of this section is one that has humane and philanthropic objectives; it is an activity that benefits humanity or a significant rather than limited segment of the community without expectation of pecuniary profit or reward. The humane treatment of animals is also a charitable purpose.

(d) Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirements of this section, if part of a property that otherwise meets the section's requirements is used for a purpose that would require exemption under subsection (a), above, if the entire property were so used, the valuation of the part so used shall be exempted from taxation.

(e) Real property held by an organization described in subdivision (a)(8) for a charitable purpose under this section as a future site for housing for individuals or families with low or moderate incomes may be classified under this section for no more than 10 years. The taxes that would otherwise be due on real property exempt under this subsection shall be a lien on the property as provided in G.S. 105-355(a). The taxes shall be carried forward in the records of the taxing unit as deferred taxes. The deferred taxes are due and payable in accordance with G.S. 105-277.1F when the property loses its eligibility for deferral as a result of a disqualifying event. A disqualifying event occurs when the property was not used for low- or moderate-income housing within 10 years from the first day of the fiscal year the property was classified under this subsection. In addition to the provisions in G.S. 105-277.1F, all liens arising under this subdivision are extinguished when the property is used for low- or moderate-income housing within the time period allowed under this subsection. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; 1975, c. 808; 1993, c. 230, s. 1; 2008-35, s. 2.6; 2009-481, s. 2; 2010-95, s. 18; 2011-368, s. 1.)

§ 105-278.6A. Qualified retirement facility.

(a) Classification. - Buildings, the land they actually occupy, additional adjacent land reasonably necessary for the convenient use of the buildings, and personal property owned by a qualified retirement facility and used in the operation of that facility are designated a special class of property under Section 2(2) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution and are excluded from taxation to the extent provided in this section.

(b) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in section:

(1) Charity care. - The unreimbursed costs to the facility of providing health care, housing, or other services to a resident who is uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise unable to pay for all or part of the services rendered.

(2) Community benefits. - The unreimbursed costs to the facility of providing the following:

a. Services, including health, recreation, community research, and education activities provided to the community at large, including the elderly.

b. Charitable donations.

c. Donated volunteer services.

d. Donations and voluntary payments to government agencies.

(3) Financial reporting period. - The calendar year or tax year ending prior to the date the retirement facility applies for an exclusion under this section.

(4) Resident revenue. - Annual revenue paid by a resident for goods and services and one year's share of the initial resident fee amortized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(5) Retirement facility. - A community that meets all of the following conditions:

a. It is licensed under Article 64 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes.

b. It is designed for elderly residents.

c. It includes independent living units for elderly residents.

d. It includes a skilled nursing facility or an adult care facility.

(6) Unreimbursed costs. - The costs a facility incurs for providing charity care or community benefits after subtracting payment or reimbursement received from any source for the care or benefits. Unreimbursed costs include costs paid from funds generated by a program described in subdivision (c)(5) of this section.

(c) Total Exclusion. - A retirement facility qualifies for total exclusion under this section if it meets all of the following conditions:

(1) It is exempt from tax under Article 4 of this Chapter and private shareholders do not benefit from its operations.

(2) All of its revenues, less operating and capital expenses, are applied to providing uncompensated goods and services to the elderly and to the local community, or are applied to an endowment or a reserve for these purposes.

(3) Its charter provides that in the event of dissolution, its assets will revert or be conveyed to an entity that is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific, or religious purposes, and is an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Code.

(4) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-17, s. 1, effective July 1, 2001.

(5) It has an active program to generate funds through one or more sources, such as gifts, grants, trusts, devises, endowment, or an annual giving program, to assist the retirement facility in serving persons who might not be able to reside there without financial assistance or subsidy.

(6) It meets at least one of the following conditions:

a. The facility serves all residents without regard to the residents' ability to pay.

b. At least five percent (5%) of the facility's resident revenue for the financial reporting period is provided in charity care to its residents, in community benefits, or in both.

(d) Partial Exclusion. - A retirement facility qualifies for a partial exclusion under this subsection if it meets conditions under subdivisions (c) (1) through (c)(5) of this section and at least one percent (1%) of the facility's resident revenue for the financial reporting period is provided in charity care to its residents, in community benefits, or in both. The percentage of the retirement facility's assessed value that is excluded from taxation is the applicable percentage provided in the following table, based on the minimum percentage of the facility's resident revenue that it provides in charity care to its residents, in community benefits, or in both:

Minimum Percentage of

Partial Exclusion Resident Revenue

80% 4%

60% 3%

40% 2%

20% 1%

(e) Application for Exclusion. - The application requirements of G.S. 105-282.1 apply to this section. (1939, c. 310, s. 303; 1961, c. 1169, s. 8; 1967, c. 1185; 1971, c. 806, s. 1; c. 1121, s. 3; 1973, cc. 290, 451; c. 476, s. 128; c. 484; c. 695, s. 1; c. 790, s. 1; cc. 904, 962, 1028, 1034, 1077; c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1264, s. 1; 1975, cc. 566, 755; c. 764, s. 6; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; c. 782, s. 2; c. 1001, ss. 1, 2; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1200, s. 4; 1979, c. 200, s. 1; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1092; 1981, c. 86, s. 1; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1244, ss. 1, 2; 1983, c. 643, ss. 1, 2; c. 693; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1060; 1985, c. 510, s. 1; c. 656, s. 37; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 982, s. 18; 1987, c. 356; c. 622, s. 2; c. 747, s. 8; c. 777, s. 6; c. 813, ss. 5, 6, 22; c. 850, s. 17; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1041, s. 1.1; 1989, c. 148, s. 4; c. 168, s. 6; c. 705; c. 723, s. 1; c. 727, ss. 28, 29; 1991, c. 717, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 975, s. 2; 1993, c. 459, s. 2; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 745, s. 39; 1995, c. 41, s. 2; c. 509, s. 51; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 646, s. 12; 1997-23, ss. 1, 3, 9; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 1997-456, s. 27; 1998-55, ss. 10, 18; 1998-212, s. 29A.18(a); 1999-191, s. 1; 2000-20, s. 2; 2001-17, s. 1; 2011-284, s. 70.)

§ 105-278.7. Real and personal property used for educational, scientific, literary, or charitable purposes.

(a) Buildings, the land they actually occupy, and additional adjacent land necessary for the convenient use of any such building shall be exempted from taxation if wholly owned by an agency listed in subsection (c), below, and if:

(1) Wholly and exclusively used by its owner for nonprofit educational, scientific, literary, or charitable purposes as defined in subsection (f), below; or

(2) Occupied gratuitously by an agency listed in subsection (c), below, other than the owner, and wholly and exclusively used by the occupant for nonprofit educational, scientific, literary, charitable, or cultural purposes.

(b) Personal property shall be exempted from taxation if wholly owned by an agency listed in subsection (c), below, and if:

(1) Wholly and exclusively used by its owner for nonprofit educational, scientific, literary, or charitable purposes; or

(2) Gratuitously made available to an agency listed in subsection (c), below, other than the owner, and wholly and exclusively used by the possessor for nonprofit educational, scientific, literary, or charitable purposes.

(c) The following agencies, when the other requirements of this section are met, may obtain property tax exemption under this section:

(1) A charitable association or institution,

(2) An historical association or institution,

(3) A veterans' organization or association,

(4) A scientific association or institution,

(5) A literary association or institution,

(6) A benevolent association or institution, or

(7) A nonprofit community or neighborhood organization.

(d) Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirements of subsection (a), above, if part of a property that otherwise meets the subsection's requirements is used for a purpose that would require exemption if the entire property were so used, the valuation of the part so used shall be exempted from taxation.

(e) The fact that a building or facility is incidentally available to and patronized by the general public, so long as there is no material amount of business or patronage with the general public, shall not defeat the exemption granted by this section.

(f) Within the meaning of this section:

(1) An educational purpose is one that has as its objective the education or instruction of human beings; it comprehends the transmission of information and the training or development of the knowledge or skills of individual persons.

(2) A scientific purpose is one that yields knowledge systematically through research, experimentation, or other work done in one or more of the natural sciences.

(3) A literary purpose is one that pertains to letters or literature, especially writing, publishing, and the study of literature. It includes the literature of the stage and screen as well as the performance or exhibition of works based on literature.

(4) A charitable purpose is one that has humane and philanthropic objectives; it is an activity that benefits humanity or a significant rather than limited segment of the community without expectation of pecuniary profit or reward. The humane treatment of animals is also a charitable purpose.

(5) A cultural purpose is one that is conducive to the enlightenment and refinement of taste acquired through intellectual and aesthetic training, education, and discipline. (1973, c. 695, s. 4; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 646, s. 15; 2005-435, ss. 59(b), 59(c).)

§ 105-278.8. Real and personal property used for charitable hospital purposes.

(a) Real and personal property held for or owned by a hospital organized and operated as a nonstock, nonprofit, charitable institution (without profit to members or their successors) shall be exempted from taxation if actually and exclusively used for charitable hospital purposes.

(b) Notwithstanding the exclusive-use requirements of subsection (a), above, if part of a property that otherwise meets that subsection's requirements is used for a purpose that would require exemption under that subsection if the entire property were so used, the valuation of the part so used shall be exempted from taxation.

(c) Within the meaning of this section, a charitable hospital purpose is a hospital purpose that has humane and philanthropic objectives; it is a hospital activity that benefits humanity or a significant rather than limited segment of the community without expectation of pecuniary profit or reward. However, the fact that a qualifying hospital charges patients who are able to pay for services rendered does not defeat the exemption granted by this section. (1973, c. 695, s. 4.)

§ 105-278.9. Repealed by Session Laws 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 982, s. 21.

§ 105-279. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 819, s. 2.

§ 105-280. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 695, s. 4.

§ 105-281. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 695, s. 10.

§ 105-282. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 695, s. 8.

§ 105-282.1. Applications for property tax exemption or exclusion; annual review of property exempted or excluded from property tax.

(a) Application. - Every owner of property claiming exemption or exclusion from property taxes under the provisions of this Subchapter has the burden of establishing that the property is entitled to it. If the property for which the exemption or exclusion is claimed is appraised by the Department of Revenue, the application shall be filed with the Department. Otherwise, the application shall be filed with the assessor of the county in which the property is situated. An application must contain a complete and accurate statement of the facts that entitle the property to the exemption or exclusion and must indicate the municipality, if any, in which the property is located. Each application filed with the Department of Revenue or an assessor shall be submitted on a form approved by the Department. Application forms shall be made available by the assessor and the Department, as appropriate.

Except as provided below, an owner claiming an exemption or exclusion from property taxes must file an application for the exemption or exclusion annually during the listing period:

(1) No application required. - Owners of the following exempt or excluded property do not need to file an application for the exemption or exclusion to be entitled to receive it:

a. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2022) Property exempt from taxation under G.S. 105-278.1 or G.S. 105-278.2.

a. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Property exempt from taxation under G.S. 105-278.1 or G.S. 105-278.2(b).

b. Special classes of property excluded from taxation under G.S. 105-275(15), (16), (26), (31), (32a), (33), (34), (37), (40), (42), or (44).

c. Property classified for taxation at a reduced valuation under G.S. 105-277(g) or G.S. 105-277.9.

(2) Single application required. - An owner of one or more of the following properties eligible for a property tax benefit must file an application for the benefit to receive it. Once the application has been approved, the owner does not need to file an application in subsequent years unless new or additional property is acquired or improvements are added or removed, necessitating a change in the valuation of the property, or there is a change in the use of the property or the qualifications or eligibility of the taxpayer necessitating a review of the benefit. The properties are as follows:

a. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2022) Property exempted from taxation under G.S. 105-278.3, 105-278.4, 105-278.5, 105-278.6, 105-278.7, or 105-278.8.

a. (Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022) Property exempted from taxation under G.S. 105-278.2(a), 105-278.3, 105-278.4, 105-278.5, 105-278.6, 105-278.7, or 105-278.8.

b. Special classes of property excluded from taxation under G.S. 105-275(3), (7), (8), (12), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (31e), (35), (36), (38), (39), (41), (45), (46), (47), (48), or (49) or under G.S. 131A-21.

c. (Effective for taxable years imposed for taxable years beginning before July 1, 2019) Special classes of property classified for taxation at a reduced valuation under G.S. 105-277(h), 105-277.1, 105-277.1C, 105-277.10, 105-277.13, 105-277.14, 105-277.15, 105-277.17, or 105-278.

c. (Effective for taxable years imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2019) Special classes of property classified for taxation at a reduced valuation under G.S. 105-277(h), 105-277.02, 105-277.1, 105-277.1C, 105-277.10, 105-277.13, 105-277.14, 105-277.15, 105-277.17, or 105-278.

d. Property owned by a nonprofit homeowners' association but where the value of the property is included in the appraisals of property owned by members of the association under G.S. 105-277.8.

e. Repealed by Session Laws 2008-35, s. 1.2, effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2008.

(a1) Late Application. - Upon a showing of good cause by the applicant for failure to make a timely application, an application for exemption or exclusion filed after the close of the listing period may be approved by the Department of Revenue, the board of equalization and review, the board of county commissioners, or the governing body of a municipality, as appropriate. An untimely application for exemption or exclusion approved under this subsection applies only to property taxes levied by the county or municipality in the calendar year in which the untimely application is filed.

(b) Approval and Appeal Process. - The Department of Revenue or the assessor to whom an application for exemption or exclusion is submitted must review the application and either approve or deny the application. Approved applications shall be filed and made available to all taxing units in which the exempted or excluded property is situated. If the Department denies an application for exemption or exclusion, it shall notify the taxpayer, who may appeal the denial to the Property Tax Commission.

If an assessor denies an application for exemption or exclusion, the assessor must notify the owner of the decision and the owner may appeal the decision to the board of equalization and review or the board of county commissioners, as appropriate, and from the county board to the Property Tax Commission. If the notice of denial covers property located within a municipality, the assessor shall send a copy of the notice and a copy of the application to the governing body of the municipality. The municipal governing body shall then advise the owner whether it will adopt the decision of the county board or require the owner to file a separate appeal with the municipal governing body. In the event the owner is required to appeal to the municipal governing body and that body renders an adverse decision, the owner may appeal to the Property Tax Commission. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the governing body of a municipality from denying an application which has been approved by the assessor or by the county board provided the owner's rights to notice and hearing are not abridged. Applications handled separately by a municipality shall be filed in the office of the person designated by the governing body, or in the absence of such designation, in the office of the chief fiscal officer of the municipality.

(c) Discovery of Property. - When an owner of property that may be eligible for exemption or exclusion neither lists the property nor files an application for exemption or exclusion, the assessor or the Department of Revenue, as appropriate, shall proceed to discover the property. If, upon appeal, the owner demonstrates that the property meets the conditions for exemption or exclusion, the body hearing the appeal may approve the exemption or exclusion. Discovery of the property by the Department or the county shall automatically constitute a discovery by any taxing unit in which the property has a taxable situs.

(d) Roster of Exempted and Excluded Property. - The assessor shall prepare and maintain a roster of all property in the county that is granted tax relief through classification or exemption. On or before November 1 of each year, the assessor must send a report to the Department of Revenue summarizing the information contained in the roster. The report must be in the format required by the Department. The assessor must also send the Department a copy of the roster upon the request of the Department. As to affected real and personal property, the roster shall set forth:

(1) The name of the owner of the property.

(2) A brief description of the property.

(3) A statement of the use to which the property is put.

(4) A statement of the value of the property.

(5) The total value of exempt property in the county and in each municipality therein.

(e) Annual Review of Exempted or Excluded Property. - Pursuant to G.S. 105-296(l), the assessor must annually review at least one-eighth of the parcels in the county exempted or excluded from taxation to verify that the parcels qualify for the exemption or exclusion. (1973, c. 695, s. 8; c. 1252; 1981, c. 54, ss. 2, 3; c. 86, s. 2; c. 915; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 982, s. 22; 1987, c. 45, s. 1; c. 295, ss. 5, 6; c. 680, ss. 1-3; c. 813, s. 13; 1989, c. 674, s. 2; c. 723, s. 2; 1991, c. 34, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 975, s. 3; 1993, c. 459, s. 3; 1995, c. 41, s. 7; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 646, s. 16; 1997-23, s. 4; 2000-140, s. 72(b); 2001-139, s. 1; 2007-484, s. 43.7T(b); 2007-497, s. 2.4; 2008-35, s. 1.3; 2008-107, s. 28.11(g); 2008-171, ss. 3, 7(c); 2009-445, s. 23(a), (c)-(e); 2009-481, s. 3; 2018-5, s. 38.10(d); 2019-123, s. 1; 2019-177, s. 9(c); 2021-180, s. 42.12(b).)

§§ 105-282.2 through 105-282.6. Reserved for future codification purposes.