N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164-13 — NC Code / Chapter 105 / Section 105-164-13
§ 105-164.13. Retail sales and use tax
Status: reserved

The sale at retail and the use, storage, or consumption in this State of the following items are specifically exempted from the tax imposed by this Article:

(1) to (1b) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.3(b), eff. July 1, 2014 .

(2) Repealed by S.L. 2001-514, § 1, eff. Feb. 1, 2002 .

(2a) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.3(b), eff. July 1, 2014 .

(2b) Items for a farmer may be exempt as provided in G.S. 105-164.13E .

(3) Products of forests and mines in their original or unmanufactured state when such sales are made by the producer in the capacity of producer.

(4) Cotton, tobacco, peanuts or other farm products sold to manufacturers for further manufacturing or processing.

(4a) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.3(b), eff. July 1, 2014 .

(4b) Products of a farm sold in their original state by the producer of the products if the producer is not primarily a retail merchant and ice used to preserve agriculture, aquaculture and commercial fishery products until the products are sold at retail.

(4c), (4d) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.3(b), eff. July 1, 2014 .

(4e) Repealed by S.L. 2006-162, § 8(b), eff. July 24, 2006 .

(4f) Sales of the following to a person who is engaged in the commercial logging business:

a. Logging machinery.--Logging machinery is machinery used to harvest raw forest products for transport to first market.

b. Attachments and repair parts for logging machinery.

c. Lubricants applied to logging machinery.

d. Fuel used to operate logging machinery.

(4g) A wood chipper that meets all of the following requirements:

a. It is designed to be towed by a motor vehicle.

b. It is assigned a 17-digit vehicle identification number by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association.

c. It is sold to a person who purchases a motor vehicle in this State that is to be registered in another state and who uses the purchased motor vehicle to tow the wood chipper to the state in which the purchased motor vehicle is to be registered.

(5) Manufactured products produced and sold by manufacturers or producers to other manufacturers, producers, or registered retailers or wholesale merchants, for the purpose of resale except as modified by G.S. 105-164.3(279) . This exemption does not extend to or include retail sales to users or consumers not for resale.

(5a) Repealed by S.L. 2017-57, § 38.8(a), eff. July 1, 2018 .

(5b) Sales to a telephone company regularly engaged in providing telecommunications service to subscribers on a commercial basis of central office equipment, switchboard equipment, private branch exchange equipment, terminal equipment other than public pay telephone terminal equipment, and parts and accessories attached to the equipment.

(5c) Sales of towers, broadcasting equipment, and parts and accessories attached to the equipment to a radio or television company licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.

(5d) Sales of broadcasting equipment and parts and accessories attached to the equipment to a cable service provider. For the purposes of this subdivision, “broadcasting equipment” does not include cable.

(5e) Sales of mill machinery or mill machinery parts or accessories to any of the persons listed in this subdivision. For purposes of this subdivision, the term “accessories” does not include electricity. The persons are:

a. A manufacturing industry or plant. A manufacturing industry or plant does not include (i) a delicatessen, cafe, cafeteria, restaurant, or another similar retailer that is principally engaged in the retail sale of food prepared by it for consumption on or off its premises or (ii) a production company.

b. A contractor or subcontractor if the purchase is for use in the performance of a contract with a manufacturing industry or plant.

c. A subcontractor if the purchase is for use in the performance of a contract with a general contractor that has a contract with a manufacturing industry or plant.

(5f) Sales to a major recycling facility of any of the following tangible personal property for use in connection with the facility:

a. Cranes, structural steel crane support systems, and foundations related to the cranes and support systems.

b. Port and dock facilities.

c. Rail equipment.

d. Material handling equipment.

(5g) Sales of equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is sold to a company primarily engaged at the establishment in research and development activities in the physical, engineering, and life sciences included in industry group 54171 of NAICS.

b. Is capitalized by the company for tax purposes under the Code.

c. Is used by the company at the establishment in the research and development of tangible personal property.

(5h) Sales of equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is sold to a company primarily engaged at the establishment in software publishing activities included in industry group 5112 of NAICS.

b. Is capitalized by the company for tax purposes under the Code.

c. Is used by the company at the establishment in the research and development of tangible personal property.

(5i) Sales of equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is sold to a company primarily engaged at the establishment in industrial machinery refurbishing activities included in industry group 811310 of NAICS.

b. Is capitalized by the company for tax purposes under the Code.

c. Is used by the company at the establishment in repairing or refurbishing tangible personal property.

(5j) Sales of the following to a company located at a ports facility for waterborne commerce:

a. Machinery and equipment that is used at the facility to unload or to facilitate the unloading or processing of bulk cargo to make it suitable for delivery to and use by manufacturing facilities.

b. Parts, accessories, or attachments used to maintain, repair, replace, upgrade, improve, or otherwise modify such machinery and equipment.

(5k) Sales of the following to a secondary metals recycler:

a. Equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, that (i) is capitalized by the person for tax purposes under the Code, (ii) is used by the person in the secondary metals recycling process, and (iii) is not a motor vehicle or an attachment or repair part for a motor vehicle.

b. Fuel, piped natural gas, or electricity for use at the person's facility at which the primary activity is secondary metals recycling.

(5 l ) Sales of equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is sold to a company primarily engaged at the establishment in processing tangible personal property for the purpose of extracting precious metals, as defined in G.S. 66-406 , to determine the value for potential purchase.

b. Is capitalized by the company for tax purposes under the Code.

c. Is used by the company in the process described in this subdivision.

(5m) Sales of equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is sold to a company that is engaged in the fabrication of metal work and that has annual gross receipts, including the gross receipts of all related persons, as defined in G.S. 105-163.010 , from the fabrication of metal work of at least eight million dollars ($8,000,000).

b. Is capitalized by the company for tax purposes under the Code.

c. Is used by the company at the establishment in the fabrication or manufacture of metal products or used by the company to create equipment for the fabrication or manufacture of metal products.

(5n) Sales of repair or replacement parts for a ready-mix concrete mill, regardless of whether the mill is freestanding or affixed to a motor vehicle, to a company that primarily sells ready-mix concrete.

(5o) Sales of equipment, or an accessory, an attachment, or a repair part for equipment, that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is sold to a large fulfillment facility or to a contractor or subcontractor if the purchase is for use in the performance of a contract with the large fulfillment facility.

b. Is used at the facility for any of the following purposes:

1. In the distribution process, which includes receiving, inventorying, sorting, repackaging, or distributing finished retail products.

2. Baling previously used packaging for resale, sanitizing required by federal law, or material handling.

c. Is not electricity.

If the level of investment or employment required by G.S. 105-164.3(119) b. is not timely made, achieved, or maintained, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited. If the exemption is forfeited due to a failure to timely make the required investment or to timely achieve the minimum required employment level, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited on all purchases. If the exemption is forfeited due to a failure to maintain the minimum required employment level once that level has been achieved, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited for those purchases occurring on or after the date the taxpayer fails to maintain the minimum required employment level. A taxpayer that forfeits an exemption under this subdivision is liable for all past sales and use taxes avoided as a result of the forfeiture, computed at the applicable State and local rates from the date the taxes would otherwise have been due, plus interest at the rate established under G.S. 105-241.21 . Interest is computed from the date the sales or use tax would otherwise have been due. The past taxes and interest are due 30 days after the date of forfeiture. A taxpayer that fails to pay the past taxes and interest by the due date is subject to the provisions of G.S. 105-236 .

(5p) Sales of equipment, or an attachment or repair part for equipment, which is used in cutting, shaping, polishing, and finishing rough cut slabs and blocks of natural and engineered stone and stone-like products and sold to a company primarily engaged in the business of providing made-to-order countertops, walls, or tubs.

(5q) Sales of machinery, equipment, parts, and accessories to the following permittees for use in the manufacture of the following items and supplies and ingredients used or consumed by the permittee in the manufacturing process:

a. The holder of an unfortified winery permit for the manufacture of unfortified wine, as authorized in G.S. 18B-1101 .

b. The holder of a fortified winery permit for the manufacture of fortified wine, as authorized in G.S. 18B-1102 .

c. The holder of a brewer permit for the manufacture of malt beverages, as authorized in G.S. 18B-1104 .

d. The holder of a distillery permit for the manufacture of spirituous liquor, as authorized in G.S. 18B-1105 .

(6) Repealed by Laws 1989, c. 1068, § 1.

(7) Sales of products of waters in their original or unmanufactured state when such sales are made by the producer in the capacity of producer. Fish and seafoods are likewise exempt when sold by the fisherman in that capacity.

(8) Sales to a manufacturer of tangible personal property that enters into or becomes an ingredient or component part of tangible personal property that is manufactured. This exemption does not apply to sales of electricity.

(8a) Sales to a small power production facility, as defined in 16 U.S.C. § 796(17)(A) , of fuel and piped natural gas used by the facility to generate electricity.

(9) Boats, fuel oil, lubricating oils, machinery, equipment, nets, rigging, paints, parts, accessories, and supplies sold to any of the following:

a. The holder of a standard commercial fishing license issued under G.S. 113-168.2 for principal use in commercial fishing operations.

b. The holder of a shellfish license issued under G.S. 113-169.2 for principal use in commercial shellfishing operations.

c. The operator of a for-hire vessel, as defined in G.S. 113-174 , for principal use in the commercial use of the boat.

(10) Sales of the following to commercial laundries or to pressing and dry cleaning establishments:

a. Articles or materials used for the identification of garments being laundered or dry cleaned, wrapping paper, bags, hangers, starch, soaps, detergents, cleaning fluids and other compounds or chemicals applied directly to the garments in the direct performance of the laundering or the pressing and cleaning service.

b. Laundry and dry-cleaning machinery, parts and accessories attached to the machinery, and lubricants applied to the machinery.

c. Fuel and piped natural gas used in the direct performance of the laundering or the pressing and cleaning service. The exemption does not apply to electricity.

(10a) Sales of the following to a major recycling facility:

a. Lubricants and other additives for motor vehicles or machinery and equipment used at the facility.

b. Materials, supplies, parts, and accessories, other than machinery and equipment, that are not capitalized by the taxpayer and are used or consumed in the manufacturing and material handling processes at the facility.

c. Electricity used at the facility.

(10b) Recodified as G.S. 105-164.13(10a) c. by S.L. 2005-276, § 33.9, eff. Jan. 1, 2006 .

(11) Any of the following fuel:

a. Motor fuel, as taxed in Article 36C of this Chapter, except motor fuel for which a refund of the per gallon excise tax is allowed under G.S. 105-449.105A , G.S. 105-449.106(c) , G.S. 105-449.106(d) , or G.S. 105-449.107 .

b. Alternative fuel taxed under Article 36D of this Chapter, unless a refund of that tax is allowed under G.S. 105-449.107 .

(11a) Sales of diesel fuel to railroad companies for use in rolling stock other than motor vehicles. The definitions in G.S. 105-333 apply in this subdivision.

(11b) Sales of aviation gasoline and jet fuel to an interstate air business for use in a commercial aircraft. For purposes of this subdivision, the term “commercial aircraft” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (45a) of this section. This exemption also applies to aviation gasoline and jet fuel purchased for use in a commercial aircraft in interstate or foreign commerce by a person whose primary business is scheduled passenger air transportation. This subdivision expires January 1, 2024.

(12) Sales of any of the following:

a. Prosthetic devices for human use.

b. Mobility enhancing equipment sold on a prescription.

c. Durable medical equipment sold on prescription.

d. Durable medical supplies sold on prescription.

e. Human blood, including whole, plasma, and derivatives.

f. Human tissue, eyes, DNA, or an organ.

(13) All of the drugs listed in this subdivision, including their packaging materials and any instructions or information about the drugs included in the package with them. This subdivision does not apply to pet food or feed for animals. The drugs exempt under this subdivision are as follows:

a. Drugs required by federal law to be dispensed only on prescription.

b. Over-the-counter drugs sold on prescription. This sub-subdivision does not apply to purchases of over-the-counter drugs by hospitals and other medical facilities for use and treatment of patients.

c. Insulin.

(13a) Repealed by Laws 1996, (2nd Ex. Sess.), c. 14, § 16, eff. Aug. 1, 1996 .

(13b) Repealed by S.L. 1999-438, § 7, eff. Oct. 1, 1999 .

(13c) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.2(a), eff. Jan. 1, 2014 .

(13d) Sales of diapers or incontinence underpads on prescription by an enrolled State Medicaid/Health Choice provider for use by beneficiaries of the State Medicaid program when the provider is reimbursed by the State Medicaid program or a Medicaid managed care organization, as defined in 42 U.S.C.§ 1396b(m) .

(13d) Sales of diapers or incontinence underpads on prescription by an enrolled State Medicaid provider for use by beneficiaries of the State Medicaid program when the provider is reimbursed by the State Medicaid program or a Medicaid managed care organization, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1396b(m) .

(14) Public school books on the adopted list, the selling price of which is fixed by State contract.

(14a) Recodified as subd. (33a) by S.L. 2000-120, § 5, eff. July 14, 2000 .

(15) Accounts of purchasers, representing taxable sales, on which the tax imposed by this Article has been paid, that are found to be worthless and actually charged off for income tax purposes may, at corresponding periods, be deducted from gross sales. In the case of a municipality that sells electricity, the account may be deducted if it meets all the conditions for charge-off that would apply if the municipality were subject to income tax. Any accounts deducted pursuant to this subdivision must be added to gross sales if afterwards collected. For purposes of this exemption, a worthless account of a purchaser is a “bad debt” as allowed under section 166 of the Code . The amount calculated pursuant to section 166 of the Code must be adjusted to exclude financing charges or interest, sales or use taxes charged on the sales price, uncollectible amounts on property that remains in the possession of the seller until the full purchase price is paid, expenses incurred in attempting to collect any debt, and repossessed property.

(16) Sales of an article repossessed by the vendor if tax was paid on the sales price of the article.

(17) Sales which a state would be without power to tax under the limitations of the Constitution or laws of the United States or under the Constitution of this State.

(18) Repealed by S.L. 2005-276, § 33.9, eff. Jan. 1, 2006 .

(19) Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 618, § 1 .

(20) Sales by blind merchants operating under supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(21) The lease or rental of motion picture films used for exhibition purposes where the lease or rental of such property is an established business or part of an established business or the same is incidental or germane to said business of the lessee.

(22) The lease or rental of films, motion picture films, transcriptions and recordings to radio stations and television stations operating under a certificate from the Federal Communications Commission.

(22a) Sales of audiovisual masters made or used by a production company in making visual and audio images for first generation reproduction. For the purpose of this subdivision, an “audiovisual master” is an audio or video film, tape, or disk or another audio or video storage device from which all other copies are made.

(23) Sales of the following packaging:

a. Wrapping paper, labels, wrapping twine, paper, cloth, plastic bags, cartons, packages and containers, cores, cones or spools, wooden boxes, baskets, coops and barrels, including paper cups, napkins and drinking straws and like articles sold to manufacturers, producers and retailers, when such materials are used for packaging, shipment or delivery of tangible personal property which is sold either at wholesale or retail and when such articles constitute a part of the sale of such tangible personal property and are delivered with it to the customer.

b. A container that is used as packaging by the owner of the container or another person to enclose tangible personal property for delivery to a purchaser of the property and is required to be returned to its owner for reuse.

(24) Sales of fuel and other tangible personal property for use or consumption by or on ocean-going vessels which ply the high seas in interstate or foreign commerce in the transport of freight and/or passengers for hire exclusively, when delivered to an officer or agent of such vessel for the use of such vessel; provided, however, that sales of fuel and other tangible personal property made to officers, agents, members of the crew or passengers of such vessels for their personal use shall not be exempted from payment of the sales tax.

(25) Sales by merchants on the Cherokee Indian Reservation when such merchants are authorized to do business on the Reservation and are paying the tribal gross receipts levy to the Tribal Council.

(26) Food and prepared food sold within the school building during the regular school day. For purposes of this exemption, the term “ school ” is an entity regulated under Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

(26a) Food and prepared food sold not for profit by a public school cafeteria to a child care center that participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(26b) Food, prepared food, soft drinks, candy, and other tangible personal property sold not for profit for or at an event that is sponsored by an elementary or secondary school when the net proceeds of the sales will be given or contributed to the school or to a nonprofit charitable organization, one of whose purposes is to serve as a conduit through which the net proceeds will flow to the school. For purposes of this exemption, the term “ school ” is an entity regulated under Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

(27) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.2(a), eff. Jan. 1, 2014 .

(27a) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.4(a), eff. July 1, 2014 .

(28) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 3.2(a), eff. Jan. 1, 2014 .

(29) Repealed by S.L. 2005-435, § 30, eff. Sept. 27, 2005 .

(29a) Repealed by Laws 1995, c. 646, § 5, eff. June 21, 1996 .

(30) Repealed by S.L. 2014-3, § 8.3(a), eff. Oct. 1, 2014 .

(31) Sales of meals not for profit to elderly and incapacitated persons by charitable or religious organizations not operated for profit which are entitled to the refunds provided by G.S. 105-164.14(b) , when such meals are delivered to the purchasers at their places of abode.

(31a) Food and prepared food sold by a church or religious organization not operated for profit when the proceeds of the sales are actually used for religious activities.

(31b) Repealed by Laws 1996, (2nd Ex. Sess.), c. 14, § 16, eff. Aug. 1, 1996 .

(32) Sales of motor vehicles, the sale of a motor vehicle body to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis when a certificate of title has not been issued for the chassis, and the sale of a motor vehicle body mounted on a motor vehicle chassis that temporarily enters the State so the manufacturer of the body can mount the body on the chassis. For purposes of this subdivision, a park model RV, as defined in G.S. 105-187.1 , is a motor vehicle.

(33) Tangible personal property purchased solely for the purpose of export to a foreign country for exclusive use or consumption in that or some other foreign country, either in the direct performance or rendition of professional or commercial services, or in the direct conduct or operation of a trade or business, all of which purposes are actually consummated, or purchased by the government of a foreign country for export which purpose is actually consummated. “Export” shall include the acts of possessing and marshalling such property, by either the seller or the purchaser, for transportation to a foreign country, but shall not include devoting such property to any other use in North Carolina or the United States. “Foreign country” shall not include any territory or possession of the United States.

In order to qualify for this exemption, an affidavit of export indicating compliance with the terms and conditions of this exemption, as prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue, must be submitted by the purchaser to the seller, and retained by the seller to evidence qualification for the exemption.

If the purposes qualifying the property for exemption are not consummated, the purchaser shall be liable for the tax which was avoided by the execution of the aforesaid affidavit as well as for applicable penalties and interest and the affidavit shall contain express provision that the purchaser has recognized and assumed such liability.

The principal purpose of this exemption is to encourage the flow of commerce through North Carolina ports that is now moving through out-of-state ports. However, it is not intended that property acquired for personal use or consumption by the purchaser, including gifts, shall be exempt hereunder.

(33a) Tangible personal property sold by a retailer to a purchaser inside or outside this State, when the property is delivered by the retailer in this State to a common carrier or to the United States Postal Service for delivery to the purchaser or the purchaser's designees outside this State and the purchaser does not subsequently use the property in this State. This exemption includes printed material sold by a retailer to a purchaser inside or outside this State when the printed material is delivered directly to a mailing house, to a common carrier, or to the United States Postal Service for delivery to a mailing house in this State that will preaddress and presort the material and deliver it to a common carrier or to the United States Postal Service for delivery to recipients outside this State designated by the purchaser.

(34) Repealed by S.L. 2016-5, § 3.9(a), eff. Jan. 1, 2017 .

(35) Sales by a nonprofit civic, charitable, educational, scientific, literary, or fraternal organization when all of the conditions listed in this subdivision are met. This exemption does not apply to gross receipts derived from an admission charge to an entertainment activity.

a. The sales are conducted only upon an annual basis for the purpose of raising funds for the organization's activities.

b. The proceeds of the sale are actually used for the organization's activities.

c. The products sold are delivered to the purchaser within 60 days after the first solicitation of any sale made during the organization's annual sales period.

(36) Advertising supplements and any other printed matter ultimately to be distributed with or as part of a newspaper.

(37) Repealed by S.L. 2001-424, § 34.23(a), eff. Dec. 1, 2001 .

(38) Food and other products lawfully purchased under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. § 2011 , and supplemental foods lawfully purchased with a food instrument issued under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program, 42 U.S.C. § 1786 , and supplemental foods purchased for direct distribution by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program.

(39) Sales of paper, ink, and other tangible personal property to commercial printers and commercial publishers for use as ingredients or component parts of free distribution periodicals and sales by printers of free distribution periodicals to the publishers of these periodicals. As used in this subdivision, the term “ free distribution periodical ” means a publication that is continuously published on a periodic basis monthly or more frequently, is provided without charge to the recipient, and is distributed in any manner other than by mail.

(40) Sales to the Department of Transportation.

(41) Sales of mobile classrooms to local boards of education or to local boards of trustees of community colleges.

(42) Tangible personal property that is purchased by a retailer for resale or is manufactured or purchased by a wholesale merchant for resale and then withdrawn from inventory and donated by the retailer or wholesale merchant to either a governmental entity or a nonprofit organization, contributions to which are deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

(43) Custom computer software.--Custom computer software and the portion of prewritten computer software that is modified or enhanced if the modification or enhancement is designed and developed to the specifications of a specific purchaser and the charges for the modification or enhancement are separately stated on the invoice or similar billing document given to the purchaser at the time of the sale.

(43a) Computer software that meets any of the following descriptions:

a. It is purchased to run on an enterprise server operating system. The exemption includes a purchase or license of computer software for high-volume, simultaneous use on multiple computers that is housed or maintained on an enterprise server or end users’ computers. The exemption includes software designed to run a computer system, an operating program, or application software.

b. It is sold to a person who operates a datacenter and is used within the datacenter.

c. It is sold to a person who provides cable service, telecommunications service, or video programming and is used to provide ancillary service, cable service, Internet access service, telecommunications service, or video programming.

(43b) Computer software or certain digital property that becomes a component part of other computer software or certain digital property that is offered for sale or of a service that is offered for sale.

(44) Repealed by S.L. 2013-316, § 4.1(d), eff. July 1, 2014 .

(45) Sales of aircraft lubricants, aircraft repair parts, and aircraft accessories to an interstate passenger air carrier for use at its hub.

(45a) Sales to an interstate air business of tangible personal property that becomes a component part of or is dispensed as a lubricant into commercial aircraft during its maintenance, repair, or overhaul. For the purpose of this subdivision, commercial aircraft includes only aircraft that has a certified maximum take-off weight of more than 12,500 pounds and is regularly used to carry for compensation passengers, commercial freight, or individually addressed letters and packages.

(45b) Sales of the following items to an interstate air courier for use at its hub:

a. Aircraft lubricants, aircraft repair parts, and aircraft accessories.

b. Materials handling equipment, racking systems, and related parts and accessories for the storage or handling and movement of tangible personal property at an airport or in a warehouse or distribution facility.

(45c) Sales of aircraft simulators to a company for flight crew training and maintenance training.

(45d) Parts and accessories for use in the repair or maintenance of a qualified aircraft or a qualified jet engine.

(45e) Sales to an interstate air and ground courier of materials handling equipment, automated conveyor systems, racking systems, and related parts and accessories for the storage or handling and movement of tangible personal property at its package sorting facility. A qualifying item listed in this subdivision purchased to fulfill a contract with an interstate air and ground courier is exempt to the same extent as if purchased directly by the interstate air and ground courier.

If the level of investment or employment required by G.S. 105-164.3(166) b. is not timely made, achieved, or maintained, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited. If the exemption is forfeited due to a failure to timely make the required investment or to timely achieve the minimum required employment level, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited on all purchases. If the exemption is forfeited due to a failure to maintain the minimum required employment level once that level has been achieved, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited for those purchases occurring on or after the date the taxpayer fails to maintain the minimum required employment level. A taxpayer that forfeits an exemption under this subdivision is liable for all past sales and use taxes avoided as a result of the forfeiture, computed at the applicable State and local rates from the date the taxes would otherwise have been due, plus interest at the rate established under G.S. 105-241.21 . Interest is computed from the date the sales or use tax would otherwise have been due. The past taxes and interest are due 30 days after the date of forfeiture. A taxpayer that fails to pay the past taxes and interest by the due date is subject to the provisions of G.S. 105-236 .

(46) Sales of electricity by a municipality whose only wholesale supplier of electric power is a federal agency and who is required by a contract with that federal agency to make payments in lieu of taxes.

(47) An amount charged as a deposit on a beverage container that is returnable to the vendor for reuse when the amount is refundable or creditable to the vendee, whether or not the deposit is separately charged.

(48) An amount charged as a deposit on an aeronautic, automotive, industrial, marine, or farm replacement part that is returnable to the vendor for rebuilding or remanufacturing when the amount is refundable or creditable to the vendee, whether or not the deposit is separately charged. This exemption does not include tires or batteries.

(49) Repealed by S.L. 2015-241, § 32.18(d), eff. March 1, 2016 .

(49a) Delivery charges for delivery of direct mail if the charges are separately stated on an invoice or similar billing document given to the purchaser at the time of sale.

(50) Fifty percent (50%) of the sales price of tangible personal property sold through a coin-operated vending machine, other than tobacco and newspapers.

(51) Water delivered by or through main lines or pipes for either commercial or domestic use or consumption.

(52) Items subject to sales and use tax under G.S. 105-164.4 , other than electricity, telecommunications service, and ancillary service as defined in G.S. 105-164.3 , if all of the following conditions are met:

a. The items are purchased by a State agency for its own use and in accordance with G.S. 105-164.29A .

b. The items are purchased pursuant to a valid purchase order issued by the State agency that contains the exemption number of the agency and a description of the property purchased, or the items purchased are paid for with a State-issued check, electronic deposit, credit card, procurement card, or credit account of the State agency.

c. For all purchases other than by an agency-issued purchase order, the agency must provide to or have on file with the retailer the agency's exemption number.

(53) Sales to a professional land surveyor of tangible personal property on which custom aerial survey data is stored in digital form or is depicted in graphic form. Data is custom if it was created to the specifications of the professional land surveyor purchasing the property. A professional land surveyor is a person licensed as a surveyor under Chapter 89C of the General Statutes.

(54) The following telecommunications services and charges:

a. Telecommunications service that is a component part of or is integrated into a telecommunications service that is resold. This exemption does not apply to service purchased by a pay telephone provider who uses the service to provide pay telephone service. Examples of services that are resold include carrier charges for access to an intrastate or interstate interexchange network, interconnection charges paid by a provider of mobile telecommunications service, and charges for the sale of unbundled network elements. An unbundled network element is a network element, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153(29) , to which access is provided on an unbundled basis pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 251(c)(3) .

b. Pay telephone service.

c. 911 charges imposed under G.S. 143B-1403 and remitted to the 911 Fund under that section.

d. Charges for telecommunications service made by a hotel, motel, or another entity whose gross receipts are taxable under G.S. 105-164.4(a)(3) when the charges are incidental to the occupancy of the entity's accommodations.

e. Telecommunications service purchased or provided by a State agency or a unit of local government for the State Network or another data network owned or leased by the State or unit of local government.

(55) Sales of electricity for use at an eligible Internet datacenter and eligible business property to be located and used at an eligible Internet datacenter. As used in this subdivision, “ eligible business property ” is property that is capitalized for tax purposes under the Code and is used either:

a. For the provision of a service included in the business of the primary user of the datacenter, including equipment cooling systems for managing the performance of the property.

b. For the generation, transformation, transmission, distribution, or management of electricity, including exterior substations and other business personal property used for these purposes.

c. To provide related computer engineering or computer science research.

If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(79) d. is not timely made, then the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited. If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(79) d. is timely made but any specific eligible business property is not located and used at an eligible Internet datacenter, then the exemption provided for such eligible business property under this subdivision is forfeited. If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(79) d. is timely made but any portion of the electricity is not used at an eligible Internet datacenter, then the exemption provided for such electricity under this subdivision is forfeited. A taxpayer that forfeits an exemption under this subdivision is liable for all past taxes avoided as a result of the forfeited exemption, computed from the date the taxes would have been due if the exemption had not been allowed, plus interest at the rate established under G.S. 105-241.21 . If the forfeiture is triggered due to the lack of a timely investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(79) d., then interest is computed from the date the taxes would have been due if the exemption had not been allowed. For all other forfeitures, interest is computed from the time as of which the eligible business property or electricity was put to a disqualifying use. The past taxes and interest are due 30 days after the date the exemption is forfeited. A taxpayer that fails to pay the past taxes and interest by the due date is subject to the provisions of G.S. 105-236 .

(55a) Sales of electricity for use at a qualifying datacenter and datacenter support equipment to be located and used at the qualifying datacenter. As used in this subdivision, “datacenter support equipment” is property that is capitalized for tax purposes under the Code and is used for one of the following purposes:

a. The provision of a service or function included in the business of an owner, user, or tenant of the datacenter.

b. The generation, transformation, transmission, distribution, or management of electricity, including exterior substations, generators, transformers, unit substations, uninterruptible power supply systems, batteries, power distribution units, remote power panels, and other capital equipment used for these purposes.

c. HVAC and mechanical systems, including chillers, cooling towers, air handlers, pumps, and other capital equipment used for these purposes.

d. Hardware and software for distributed and mainframe computers and servers, data storage devices, network connectivity equipment, and peripheral components and equipment.

e. To provide related computer engineering or computer science research.

If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(201) is not timely made, the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited. If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(201) is timely made but any specific datacenter support equipment is not located and used at the qualifying datacenter, the exemption provided for such datacenter support equipment under this subdivision is forfeited. If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(201) is timely made but any portion of electricity is not used at the qualifying datacenter, the exemption provided for such electricity under this subdivision is forfeited. A taxpayer that forfeits an exemption under this subdivision is liable for all past taxes avoided as a result of the forfeited exemption, computed from the date the taxes would have been due if the exemption had not been allowed, plus interest at the rate established under G.S. 105-241.21 . If the forfeiture is triggered due to the lack of a timely investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(201) , interest is computed from the date the taxes would have been due if the exemption had not been allowed. For all other forfeitures, interest is computed from the time as of which the datacenter support equipment or electricity was put to a disqualifying use. The past taxes and interest are due 30 days after the date the exemption is forfeited. A taxpayer that fails to pay the past taxes and interest by the due date is subject to the provisions of G.S. 105-236 .

(56) Sales to the owner or lessee of an eligible railroad intermodal facility of intermodal cranes, intermodal hostler trucks, and railroad locomotives that reside on the premises of the facility and are used at the facility.

(57) Fuel, electricity, and piped natural gas sold to a manufacturer for use in connection with the operation of a manufacturing facility. The exemption does not apply to the following:

a. Electricity used at a facility at which the primary activity is not manufacturing.

b. Fuel or piped natural gas that is used solely for comfort heating at a manufacturing facility where there is no use of fuel or piped natural gas in a manufacturing process.

(57a) Repealed by S.L. 2017-57, § 38.8(a), eff. July 1, 2018 , as amended by S.L. 2017-212, § 7.2(a), eff. Oct. 8, 2017 , applying retroactively to sales made on or after July 1, 2017.

(58) Tangible personal property purchased with a client assistance debit card issued for disaster assistance relief by a State agency or a federal agency or instrumentality.

(59) Interior design services provided in conjunction with the sale of tangible personal property.

(60) Gross receipts derived from an admission charge to an entertainment activity are exempt as provided in G.S. 105-164.4G .

(61) A motor vehicle service contract.

(61a) The sales price of or the gross receipts derived from the repair, maintenance, and installation services and service contracts listed in this subdivision are exempt from tax. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, an item used to fulfill either repair, maintenance, and installation services or service contracts exempt from tax under this subdivision is taxable. The list of repair, maintenance, and installation services and service contracts exempt from tax under this subdivision is as follows:

a. A service and a service contract for an item exempt from tax under this Article, except as otherwise provided in this subdivision. Items used to fulfill a service or service contract exempt under this sub-subdivision are exempt from tax under this Article. This exemption does not apply to water for a pool, fish tank, or similar aquatic feature or to a motor vehicle, except as provided under subdivision (62a) of this section and fees under sub-subdivision b. of this subdivision.

b. A motor vehicle emissions and safety inspection fee imposed pursuant to G.S. 20-183.7 , provided the fee is separately stated on the invoice or other documentation provided to the purchaser at the time of the sale.

c. A service performed for a person by a related member.

d. Cleaning of real property, except where the service constitutes a part of the gross receipts derived from the rental of an accommodation subject to tax under G.S. 105-164.4 or for a pool, fish tank, or other similar aquatic feature. Examples of cleaning of real property include custodial services, window washing, mold remediation services, carpet cleaning, removal of debris from gutters, removal of dust and other pollutants from ductwork, and power washing other than for a pool.

e. A service on roads, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks.

f. Removal of waste, trash, debris, grease, snow, and other similar tangible personal property from property, other than a motor vehicle. The exemption applies to a household or a commercial trash collection and removal service. The exemption applies to the removal of septage from property, including motor vehicles, but does not include removal of septage from portable toilets.

g. The following inspections:

1. An inspection performed where the results are included in a report for the sale or financing of real property.

2. An inspection of the structural integrity of real property, provided the charge for the inspection is separately stated on the invoice or other documentation given to the purchaser at the time of the sale.

3. An inspection to a system that is a capital improvement under G.S. 105-164.3(31) f., provided the inspection is to fulfill a safety requirement and provided the charge for the inspection is separately stated on the invoice or other documentation given to the purchaser at the time of the sale.

h. Alteration and repair of clothing, except where the service constitutes a part of the gross receipts derived from the rental of clothing subject to tax under G.S. 105-164.4 or for alteration and repair of belts and shoes.

i. Pest control service. For purposes of this exemption, the term “ pest control service ” means the application of pesticides to real property.

j. Moving service. For purposes of this exemption, the term “ moving service ” means a service for hire to transport or relocate a person's existing belongings to or from any destination.

k. Self-service vehicle wash or vacuum and limited-service vehicle wash. For purposes of this sub-subdivision, the following definitions apply:

1. Limited-service vehicle wash.--The cleaning of a vehicle by mechanical means where the only activities performed by an employee include one or more of the following: (i) receiving payment for the transaction, (ii) guiding the vehicle into the entrance or exit of a conveyor, (iii) applying low-pressure spray of chemicals to the vehicle prior to the cleaning of the vehicle, or (iv) placing protective tape or covers on the vehicle prior to cleaning. The term does not include any activity whereby an employee physically touches the vehicle for the purpose of cleaning or restoring the vehicle, enters or cleans any part of the interior of the vehicle, or performs an activity on the vehicle other than one of those listed in this sub-sub-subdivision.

2. Self-service vehicle wash or vacuum.--The cleaning of a vehicle by a customer without any cleaning or restoring activity performed by an employee.

l . Services performed on a transmission, distribution, or other network asset on land owned by a service provider or on a right-of-way or an easement in favor of a service provider. This exemption does not apply to charges billed to a customer for repair, maintenance, and installation services or a contribution in aid of construction and are included in the gross receipts derived from items subject to the combined general rate under G.S. 105-164.4 . The terms “service provider” and “governmental entity” have the same meaning as defined in G.S. 105-164.3(31) c.

m. Any of the following:

1. A qualified aircraft.

2. A qualified jet engine.

3. An aircraft with a gross take-off weight of more than 2,000 pounds.

n. Funeral-related service, including a service for the burial of remains. This exemption does not apply to the sale of tangible personal property, such as caskets, headstones, and monuments.

o. A service performed on an animal, such as hoof shoeing and microchipping a pet.

p. A security or similar monitoring contract for real property. The exemption provided in this subdivision does not apply to charges for repair, maintenance, and installation services to repair security, alarm, and other similar monitoring systems for real property.

q. A contract to provide a certified operator for a wastewater system.

(61b) Items purchased for resale under an exemption certificate in accordance with G.S. 105-164.28 or under a direct pay certificate in accordance with G.S. 105-164.27A .

(61c) Installation charges that are a part of the sales price of tangible personal property purchased by a real property contractor to fulfill a real property contract for an item that is installed or applied to real property, provided the installation charges are separately stated and identified as such on the invoice or other documentation given to the real property contractor at the time of the sale. The exemption also applies to installation charges by a retailer-contractor when performing installation services for a real property contract. The exemption includes any labor costs provided by the real property contractor, including employees' wages, or labor purchased from a third party that would otherwise be included in the definition of “ purchase price .”

(61d) Installation charges that are a part of the sales price of or gross receipts derived from repair, maintenance, and installation services or installation charges only purchased by a real property contractor to fulfill a real property contract, provided the installation charges are separately stated and identified as such on the invoice or other documentation given to the real property contractor at the time of the sale. The exemption also applies to installation charges by a retailer-contractor when performing a real property contract. The exemption includes any labor costs provided by the real property contractor, including employees' wages, or labor purchased from a third party that would otherwise be included in the definition of “purchase price.”

(62) An item, including repair, maintenance, and installation services, purchased or used to fulfill a service contract taxable under this Article if the purchaser of the contract is not charged for the item. This exemption does not apply to the purchase of tangible personal property or certain digital property used to fulfill a service contract for real property where the charge being covered would otherwise be subject to tax as a real property contract. For purposes of this exemption, the term “item” does not include a tool, equipment, supply, or similar tangible personal property that is not deemed to be a component or repair part of the tangible personal property, real property, or certain digital property for which a service contract is sold to a purchaser.

(62a) A replacement item, a repair part, or repair, maintenance, and installation services to maintain or repair tangible personal property or a motor vehicle pursuant to a manufacturer’s warranty or a dealer’s warranty. For purposes of this subdivision, the following definitions apply:

a. Dealer’s warranty.--An explicit warranty the seller of an item extends to the purchaser of the item as part of the purchase price of the item.

b. Manufacturer’s warranty.--An explicit warranty the manufacturer of an item extends to the purchaser of the item as part of the purchase price of the item.

(62b) The amount of repair, maintenance, and installation services for a boat, an aircraft, or a qualified jet engine for which the purchaser elects for the seller to collect and remit the tax due under G.S. 105-164.27A(a3) .

(63) Food and prepared food to be provided to a person entitled to the food and prepared food under a prepaid meal plan subject to tax under G.S. 105-164.4(a)(12) . This exemption applies to packaging including wrapping paper, labels, plastic bags, cartons, packages and containers, paper cups, napkins and drinking straws, and like articles that meet all of the following requirements:

a. Used for packaging, shipment, or delivery of the food and prepared food.

b. Constitute a part of the sale of the food and prepared food.

c. Delivered with the food and prepared food.

(64) Fifty percent (50%) of the sales price of a modular home or a manufactured home, including all accessories attached when delivered to the purchaser.

(65) This subdivision expires January 1, 2024. Sales of the following to a professional motorsports racing team or a related member of a team for use in competition in a sanctioned race series:

a. The sale, lease, or rental of an engine.

b. The sales price of or gross receipts derived from a service contract on, or repair, maintenance, and installation services for, a transmission, an engine, rear-end gears, and any tangible personal property that is purchased, leased, or rented and that is exempt from tax under this subdivision or that is allowed a sales tax refund under G.S. 105-164.14A(a)(5) .

c. The gross receipts derived from an agreement to provide an engine to a professional motorsports racing team or related member of a team for use in competition in a sanctioned race series, where such agreement does not meet the definition of a “service contract” as defined in G.S. 105-164.3 but may meet the definition of the term “lease or rental” as defined in G.S. 105-164.3 .

(65a) An engine or a part to build or rebuild an engine for the purpose of providing an engine under an agreement to a professional motorsports racing team or a related member of a team for use in competition in a sanctioned race series. This subdivision expires January 1, 2024.

(66) Storage of a motor vehicle, provided the charge is separately stated on the invoice or other documentation provided to the purchaser at the time of the sale.

(67) Towing services, provided the charge is separately stated on the invoice or other documentation provided to the purchaser at the time of the sale.

(68) Sales of wastewater dispersal products approved by the Department of Health and Human Services under Article 11 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes.

(69) Sales of non-coin currency, investment metal bullion, and investment coins. For purposes of this subdivision, the following definitions apply:

a. Investment coins.--Numismatic coins or other forms of money and legal tender manufactured of metal under the laws of the United States or any foreign nation with a fair market value greater than any statutory or nominal value of such coins.

b. Investment metal bullion.--Any elementary precious metal that has been put through a process of smelting or refining and that is in such state or condition that its value depends upon its content and not upon its form. The term does not include fabricated precious metal that has been processed or manufactured for one or more specific and customary industrial, professional, or artistic uses.

c. Non-coin currency.--Forms of money and legal tender manufactured of a material other than metal under the laws of the United States or any foreign nation with a fair market value greater than any statutory or nominal value of such currency.

(70) Gross receipts derived from a rental of an accommodation are exempt as provided in G.S. 105-164.4F .

(71) Sales of items to the North Carolina Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.

(72) Sales of a digital audio work or a digital audiovisual work that is a qualifying education expense under G.S. 115C-595(a)(3) to the operator of a home school as defined in G.S. 115C-563 .

(73) Sales of a digital audio work or digital audiovisual work that consists of nontaxable service content when the electronic transfer of the digital audio work or digital audiovisual work occurs contemporaneously with the provision of the nontaxable service in real time.