Middle-Class North Carolinians Save Hundreds in Era of Republican Tax Relief

Raleigh, N.C. – Tax cuts enacted by Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly will save middle class citizens hundreds of dollars in earnings this year compared to last decade under Democrat control, according to a release from Speaker Tim Moore’s office on Tax Day 2017.

Since Republicans raised the standard deduction and lowered the income tax rate for middle class North Carolinians this decade, an average family of four earning $50,000/year will keep more than $380 in their paychecks in 2017 compared to 2008.

A Married Couple With Two Children Filing Jointly Earning $50,000/year

2008 Effective Tax Rate                              2017 Effective Tax Rate

$50,000/year                                                     $50,000/year

$6,000 Standard Deduction                       $17,500 Standard Deduction

$10,0000 Personal Exemption                 N/A

$200 Child Tax Credit                                    $200 Child Tax Credit

5.7% Tax Rate                                                    5.49% Tax rate

Total Tax: $1,968                                              Total Tax: $1,587

Effective Tax Rate: 3.9%                               Effective Tax Rate: 3.2%

Effective Tax Rate = The % of Earnings Paid in State Income Taxes

Provided by Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly


“Compared to last decade, middle-class families will keep hundreds more in income and a substantial  percentage of their paychecks thanks to Republican tax relief in North Carolina,” said Speaker Moore on Tax Day 2017. 

“Those earnings are going back where they belong – in the budgets of working families across our state.” 

The difference amounts to over $380 in savings – annually- for an average family of four earning $50,000 this year compared to 2008.

This simple comparison shows average families in North Carolina save a substantial percentage in income taxes compared to last decade thanks to statewide tax relief passed by Republicans in the General Assembly.

Both the state House and Senate have proposed further tax relief measures in the 2017 legislative session.