North Carolina IFTA Fuel Tax Rate, 1st Quarter 2026
North Carolina's IFTA diesel rate for the 1st quarter of 2026 is $0.4100 per gallon, up $0.0070 from Q4 2025.
North Carolina rate for Q1 2026
Special diesel, Q1 2026
$0.4100
per US gallon, up $0.0070 from Q4 2025
- Diesel tax rate
- $0.4100/gal
- Surcharge
- None listed
- Quarter
- Q1 2026, from Jan 1, 2026
- Change vs last quarter
- up $0.0070
Notes from the source
Matrix footnote #24 (NORTH CAROLINA): Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG): When LPG is dispensed as a motor fuel, the method of measurement is one (1) gasoline gallon equivalent equals 5.75 lbs. of LPG. To convert gallons of LPG to gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE), divide total LPG gallons by 1.353. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): When CNG is dispensed as a motor fuel, the method of measurement is one (1) gasoline gallon equivalent equals 5.66 lbs. of CNG. To convert cubic feet of CNG to gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE), divide total cubic feet by 123.57. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): When LNG is dispensed as a motor fuel, the method of measurement is one (1) diesel gallon equivalent equals 6.06 lbs. of LNG. To convert gallons of LNG to diesel gallon equivalent (DGE), divide total LNG gallons by 1.71.
Worked example: the North Carolina line of your IFTA return
Change the numbers to match your quarter. Prefilled with 10,000 total miles on 1,550 gallons, 1,200 of those miles in North Carolina, and 100 gallons bought there.
North Carolina vs. its neighbors, Q1 2026
| Jurisdiction | Diesel + surcharge | vs. NC |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $0.4700 | +$0.0600 |
| North Carolina | $0.4100 | — |
| Georgia | $0.3710 | −$0.0390 |
| South Carolina | $0.2800 | −$0.1300 |
| Tennessee | $0.2700 | −$0.1400 |
On an IFTA return, a higher rate doesn't mean you pay more overall. Fuel you buy in a high-rate state earns a bigger credit. What matters is where you burn the fuel versus where you buy it.
North Carolina rate, last 4 quarters
Source: IFTA, Inc. Fuel Tax Rate Matrix, 1st Quarter 2026 · Effective Jan 1, 2026 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
IFTA, Inc. publishes the rates each member jurisdiction reports. North Carolina's tax agency is the final word on its rate.
Estimates for planning. Confirm with your tax pro or your base jurisdiction's IFTA office before filing.