NC Revenue-Neutral Tax Policy – Quick Summary

• State law (NCGS § 159-11(e)) requires counties to calculate and publicly share a “revenue-neutral tax rate”during property reappraisal years.
• This rate is meant to keep tax bills flat — based on the previous year’s revenue plus only a small growth factor (usually 1–2%) for new construction or improvements.
• However, counties are NOT required to adopt the revenue-neutral rate.
• Commissioners can legally choose a higher or lower rate.
• If they choose a higher rate, even if it looks smaller than last year, it’s still a tax increase due to rising property values.
• Many counties choose rates above revenue-neutral after reappraisals, but citizens have a right to question and challenge that decision.

This means: The state forces them to calculate it, but not to use it.

It’s up to citizens to hold commissioners accountable.

Editor’s Note–Robert A says, I TOLD YOU SO!!!

How many times???