Part 8. Administration and Enforcement.

(a) Recodified as § 105-164.42H(a) by Session Laws 2001-347, s. 1.1, effective August 8,2001. See note.

(b) Recodified as § 105-164.42I(a) by Session Laws 2001-347, s. 1.1, effective August 8, 2001. See note. (2000-120, s. 2; 2001-347, s. 1.1.)

§ 105-164.43B. (Recodified effective August 8, 2001 - See note) Contract with Certified Sales Tax Collector.

Recodified as § 105-164.42I(b) by Session Laws 2001-347, s. 1.1, effective August 8, 2001. See note. (2000-120, s. 2; 2001-347, s. 1.1.)

§ 105-164.43C: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-347, s. 1.2, effective August 8, 2001. See note.

§ 105-164.43D. Applicable due date when due date falls on a weekend, holiday, or when the Federal Reserve Bank is closed.

(a) Weekends and Holidays. - When the last day for doing an act required or permitted by this Article or Subchapter VIII of this Chapter falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the act is considered to be done within the prescribed time limit if it is done on the next business day.

(b) Federal Reserve Bank Closure. - If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on a due date that prohibits a person from making a payment by ACH debit or credit as required by this Article or Subchapter VIII of this Chapter, the payment is timely if made on the next day the Federal Reserve Bank is open. (2014-3, s. 14.10.)

§ 105-164.44. Penalty and remedies of Article 9 applicable.

All provisions not inconsistent with this Article in Article 9, entitled "General Administration - Penalties and Remedies" of Subchapter I of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes, including but not limited to, administration, auditing, making returns, promulgation of rules and regulations by the Secretary, additional taxes, assessment procedure, imposition and collection of taxes and the lien thereof, assessments, refunds and penalties are hereby made a part of this Article and shall be applicable thereto. (1957, c. 1340, s. 5; 1973, c. 476, s. 193.)

§ 105-164.44A: Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 45, s. 18.

§ 105-164.44B: Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 13.27(a), effective July 1, 2011.

§ 105-164.44C: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 34.15(a)(1), as amended by Session Laws 2002-126, s. 30A.1, effective July 1, 2002.

§ 105-164.44D: Repealed by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 2.2(b), effective July 1, 2015.

§ 105-164.44E. (Repealed effective July 1, 2030) Transfer to the Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Fund.

(a) Transfer. - At the end of each quarter, the Secretary must transfer to the Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Fund established under G.S. 143-215.104C an amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the net State sales and use taxes collected under G.S. 105-164.4(a)(4) during the previous fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary based on available data.

(b) Sunset. - This section is repealed effective July 1, 2030. (2000-19, s. 1.1; 2009-483, ss. 6, 8; 2019-237, s. 6(b).)

§ 105-164.44F. Distribution of part of telecommunications taxes to cities.

(a) Amount. - The Secretary must distribute part of the taxes imposed by G.S. 105-164.4(a)(4c) on telecommunications service and ancillary service. The Secretary must make the distribution within 75 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The amount the Secretary must distribute is the following percentages of the net proceeds of the taxes collected during the quarter:

(1) Eighteen and seventy one hundredths percent (18.70%) minus two million six hundred twenty thousand nine hundred forty-eight dollars ($2,620,948), must be distributed to cities in accordance with this section. The deduction is one-fourth of the annual amount by which the distribution to cities of the gross receipts franchise tax on telephone companies, imposed by former G.S. 105-20, was required to be reduced beginning in fiscal year 1995-96 as a result of the "freeze deduction."

(2) Seven and seven tenths percent (7.7%) must be distributed to counties and cities as provided in G.S. 105-164.44I.

(b) Share of Cities Incorporated on or After January 1, 2001. - The share of a city incorporated on or after January 1, 2001, is its per capita share of the amount to be distributed to all cities incorporated on or after this date. This amount is the proportion of the total to be distributed under this section that is the same as the proportion of the population of cities incorporated on or after January 1, 2001, compared to the population of all cities. In making the distribution under this subsection, the Secretary must use the most recent annual population estimates certified to the Secretary by the State Budget Officer.

(c) Share of Cities Incorporated Before January 1, 2001. - The share of a city incorporated before January 1, 2001, is its proportionate share of the amount to be distributed to all cities incorporated before this date. A city's proportionate share for a quarter is based on the amount of telephone gross receipts franchise taxes attributed to the city under G.S. 105-116.1 for the same quarter that was the last quarter in which taxes were imposed on telephone companies under repealed G.S. 105-120. The amount to be distributed to all cities incorporated before January 1, 2001, is the amount determined under subsection (a) of this section, minus the amount distributed under subsection (b) of this section.

The following changes apply when a city incorporated before January 1, 2001, alters its corporate structure. When a change described in subdivision (2) or (3) occurs, the resulting cities are considered to be cities incorporated before January 1, 2001, and the distribution method set out in this subsection rather than the method set out in subsection (b) of this section applies:

(1) If a city dissolves and is no longer incorporated, the proportional shares of the remaining cities incorporated before January 1, 2001, must be recalculated to adjust for the dissolution of that city.

(2) If two or more cities merge or otherwise consolidate, their proportional shares are combined.

(3) If a city divides into two or more cities, the proportional share of the city that divides is allocated among the new cities on a per capita basis.

(d) Share of Cities Served by a Telephone Membership Corporation. - The share of a city served by a telephone membership corporation, as described in Chapter 117 of the General Statutes, is computed as if the city was incorporated on or after January 1, 2001, under subsection (b) of this section. If a city is served by a telephone membership corporation and another provider, then its per capita share under this subsection applies only to the population of the area served by the telephone membership corporation.

(e) Ineligible Cities. - An ineligible city is disregarded for all purposes under this section. A city incorporated on or after January 1, 2000, is not eligible for a distribution under this section unless it meets both of the following requirements:

(1) It is eligible to receive funds under G.S. 136-41.2.

(2) A majority of the mileage of its streets is open to the public.

(f) Nature. - The General Assembly finds that the revenue distributed under this section is local revenue, not a State expenditure, for the purpose of Section 5(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution. Therefore, the Governor may not reduce or withhold the distribution. (2001-424, s. 34.25(b); 2001-430, s. 10; 2001-487, s. 67(d); 2002-120, s. 4; 2004-203, s. 5(g); 2005-276, s. 33.19; 2005-435, s. 34(c); 2006-33, s. 8; 2006-66, ss. 24.1(d), (e), (f), (g); 2006-151, s. 7; 2007-145, s. 9(a); 2007-323, ss. 31.2(a), (b); 2009-451, s. 27A.2(c).)

§ 105-164.44G: Repealed by Session Laws 2013-316, s. 3.1(b), effective January 1, 2014, and applicable to sales made on or after that date.

§ 105-164.44H. Transfer to State Public School Fund.

Each fiscal year, the Secretary of Revenue shall transfer at the end of each quarter from the State sales and use tax net collections received by the Department of Revenue under Article 5 of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes to the State Treasurer for the State Public School Fund, one-fourth of the amount transferred the preceding fiscal year plus or minus the percentage of that amount by which the total collection of State sales and use taxes increased or decreased during the preceding fiscal year. (2005-276, s. 7.51(b).)

§ 105-164.44I. Distribution of part of sales tax on video programming service and telecommunications service to counties and cities.

(a) Distribution. - The Secretary must distribute to the counties and cities part of the taxes imposed by G.S. 105-164.4(a)(4c) on telecommunications service and G.S. 105-164.4(a)(6) on video programming service. The Secretary must make the distribution within 75 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The amount the Secretary must distribute is the sum of the revenue listed in this subsection. From this amount, the Secretary must first make the distribution required by subsection (b) of this section and then distribute the remainder in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of this section. The revenue to be distributed under this section consists of the following:

(1) The amount specified in G.S. 105-164.44F(a)(2).

(2) Twenty three and six tenths percent (23.6%) of the net proceeds of the taxes collected during the quarter on video programming, other than on direct-to-home satellite service.

(3) Thirty-seven and one tenths percent (37.1%) of the net proceeds of the taxes collected during the quarter on direct-to-home satellite service.

(b) Supplemental PEG Channel Support. - G.S. 105-164.44J sets out the requirements for receipt by a county or city of supplemental PEG channel support funds distributed under this subsection. The Secretary must include the applicable amount of supplemental PEG channel support in each quarterly distribution to a county or city. The amount to include is one-fourth of the share of each qualifying PEG channel certified by the city or county under G.S. 105-164.44J. The share of each certified PEG channel is the sum of four million dollars ($4,000,000) and the amount of any funds returned to the Secretary in the prior fiscal year under G.S. 105-164.44J(d) divided by the number of PEG channels certified under G.S. 105-164.44J. A county or city may not receive PEG channel support under this subsection for more than three qualifying PEG channels.

For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualifying PEG channel" has the same meaning as in G.S. 105-164.44J.

(c) 2006-2007 Fiscal Year Distribution. - The share of a county or city is its proportionate share of the amount to be distributed to all counties and cities under this subsection. The proportionate share of a county or city is the base amount for the county or city compared to the base amount for all other counties and cities. The base amount of a county or city that did not impose a cable franchise tax under G.S. 153A-154 or G.S. 160A-214 before July 1, 2006, is two dollars ($2.00) times the most recent annual population estimate for that county or city. The base amount of a county or city that imposed a cable franchise tax under either G.S. 153A-154 or G.S. 160A-214 before July 1, 2006, is the amount of cable franchise tax and subscriber fee revenue the county or city certifies to the Secretary that it imposed during the first six months of the 2006-2007 fiscal year. A county or city must make this certification by March 15, 2007. The certification must specify the amount of revenue that is derived from the cable franchise tax and the amount that is derived from the subscriber fee.

(c1) Revised Certification. - If a county or city determines that the amount of cable franchise tax it imposed during the first six months of the 2006-2007 fiscal year differs from the amount certified to the Secretary under subsection (c) of this section, the county or city may submit a new certification to the Secretary revising the amount. For distributions for quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2007, the Secretary must determine the proportionate share of a county or city based upon certifications submitted on or before October 1, 2007. For distributions for quarters beginning on or after April 1, 2008, the Secretary must determine the proportionate share of a county or city based upon certifications submitted on or before April 1, 2008. Certifications submitted after April 1, 2008, may not be used to adjust a county's or city's base amount under subsection (c) of this section.

(d) Subsequent Distributions. - For subsequent fiscal years, the Secretary must multiply the amount of a county's or city's share under this section for the preceding fiscal year by the percentage change in its population for that fiscal year and add the result to the county's or city's share for the preceding fiscal year to obtain the county's or city's adjusted amount. Each county's or city's proportionate share for that year is its adjusted amount compared to the sum of the adjusted amounts for all counties and cities.

(e) Use of Proceeds. - A county or city that imposed subscriber fees during the first six months of the 2006-2007 fiscal year must use a portion of the funds distributed to it each fiscal year under subsections (c) and (d) of this section for the operation and support of PEG channels. The amount of funds that must be used for PEG channel operation and support in fiscal year 2006-2007 is two times the amount of subscriber fee revenue the county or city certified to the Secretary that it imposed during the first six months of the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The amount of funds that must be used for PEG channel operation and support in subsequent fiscal years is the same proportionate amount of the funds that were distributed under subsections (c) and (d) of this section and used for this purpose in fiscal year 2006-2007.

A county or city that used part of its franchise tax revenue in fiscal year 2005-2006 for the operation and support of PEG channels or a publicly owned and operated television station must use the funds distributed to it under subsections (c) and (d) of this section to continue the same level of support for the PEG channels and public stations. The remainder of the distribution may be used for any public purpose.

(f) Late Information. - A county or city that does not submit information that the Secretary needs to make a distribution by the date the information is due is excluded from the distribution. If the county or city later submits the required information, the Secretary must include the county or city in the distribution for the quarter that begins after the date the information is received.

(g) Population Determination. - In making population determinations under this section, the Secretary must use the most recent annual population estimates certified to the Secretary by the State Budget Officer. For purposes of the distributions made under this section, the population of a county is the population of its unincorporated areas plus the population of an ineligible city in the county, as determined under this section.

(i) Ineligible Cities. - An ineligible city is disregarded for all purposes under this section. A city incorporated on or after January 1, 2000, is not eligible for a distribution under this section unless it meets both of the following requirements:

(1) It is eligible to receive funds under G.S. 136-41.2.

(2) A majority of the mileage of its streets is open to the public.

(j) Nature. - The General Assembly finds that the revenue distributed under this section is local revenue, not a State expenditure, for the purpose of Section 5(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution. Therefore, the Governor may not reduce or withhold the distribution. (2006-151, s. 8; 2006-66, ss. 24.1(h), (i); 2007-145, s. 9(a); 2007-323, ss. 31.2(a), (b); 2007-527, s. 28; 2008-148, ss. 1, 2; 2009-451, s. 27A.2(d); 2010-158, s. 11(b); 2013-414, s. 45.)

§ 105-164.44J. Supplemental PEG channel support.

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

(1) Existing agreement. - Defined in G.S. 66-350.

(2) PEG channel. - Defined in G.S. 66-350.

(3) PEG channel operator. - An entity that does one or more of the following:

a. Produces programming for delivery on a PEG channel.

b. Provides facilities for the production of programming or playback of programming for delivery on a PEG channel.

(4) Qualifying PEG channel. - A PEG channel that operates for at least 90 days during a fiscal year and that meets all of the following programming requirements:

a. It delivers at least eight hours of scheduled programming a day.

b. It delivers at least six hours and 45 minutes of scheduled, non-character-generated programming a day.

c. Its programming content does not repeat more than fifteen percent (15%) of the programming content on any other PEG channel provided to the same county or city.

(5) Supplemental PEG channel support funds. - The amount distributed to a county or city under G.S. 105-164.44I(b).

(b) Certification. - A county or city must certify to the Secretary by July 15 of each year all of the qualifying PEG channels provided for its use during the preceding fiscal year by a cable service provider under either G.S. 66-357 or an existing agreement. A county or city may not certify more than three qualifying PEG channels. The certification must include all of the following:

(1) An identification of each channel as a public, an education, or a government channel.

(2) The name and signature of the PEG channel operator for each channel. If a qualifying PEG channel has more than one PEG channel operator, the county or city must include the name of each operator of the PEG channel. A PEG channel operator may be included on the certification of only one county or city for each type of PEG channel that it operates.

(3) Any other information required by the Secretary.

(c) Use of Funds. - A county or city must use the supplemental PEG channel support funds distributed to it for the operation and support of each of the qualifying PEG channels it certifies by allocating the amount it receives equally among each of the qualifying PEG channels. A county or city must distribute the supplemental PEG channel support funds to the PEG channel operator of the qualifying PEG channel within 30 days of its receipt of the supplemental PEG channel support funds from the Department, or as specified in an interlocal agreement. If a qualifying PEG channel has more than one PEG channel operator, the county or city must distribute the amount allocated for that PEG channel equally to each PEG channel operator, or as specified in an interlocal agreement.

(d) Errors in Certification. - If a county or city determines that it certified a PEG channel in error, the county or city must submit a revised certification to the Secretary, and the county or city must return all supplemental PEG channel support funds distributed to it as a result of the error. The Secretary must add the funds returned to the total amount of supplemental PEG channel support funds to be allocated in the following fiscal year. (2008-148, s. 3; 2010-158, s. 11(c).)

§ 105-164.44K. Distribution of part of tax on electricity to cities.

(a) Distribution. - The Secretary must distribute to cities forty-four percent (44%) of the net proceeds of the tax collected under G.S. 105-164.4 on electricity, less the cost to the Department of administering the distribution. Each city's share of the amount to be distributed is its franchise tax share calculated under subsection (b) of this section plus its ad valorem share calculated under subsection (c) of this section. If the net proceeds of the tax allocated under this section are not sufficient to distribute the franchise tax share of each city under subsection (b) of this section, the proceeds shall be distributed to each city on a pro rata basis. The Secretary must make the distribution within 75 days after the end of each quarter.

(b) Franchise Tax Share. - The quarterly franchise tax share of a city is the total amount of electricity gross receipts franchise tax distributed to the city under repealed G.S. 105-116.1 or repealed provisions of G.S. 159B-27 for the same related quarter that was the last quarter in which taxes were imposed on electric power companies under repealed G.S. 105-116 or repealed provisions of G.S. 159B-27. The quarterly franchise tax share of a city includes adjustments made for the hold-harmless amounts under repealed G.S. 105-116. If the franchise tax share of a city, including the hold-harmless adjustments, is less than zero, then the amount is zero. The determination made by the Department with respect to a city's franchise tax share is final and is not subject to administrative or judicial review.

The franchise tax share of a city that has dissolved, merged with another city, or divided into two or more cities since it received a distribution under repealed G.S. 105-116.1 or repealed provisions of G.S. 159B-27 is adjusted as follows:

(1) If a city dissolves and is no longer incorporated, the franchise tax share of the city is added to the amount distributed under subsection (c) of this section.

(2) If two or more cities merge or otherwise consolidate, their franchise tax shares are combined.

(3) If a city divides into two or more cities, the franchise tax share of the city that divides is allocated among the new cities in proportion to the total amount of ad valorem taxes levied by each on property having a tax situs in the city.

(c) Ad Valorem Share. - The ad valorem share of a city is its proportionate share of the amount that remains for distribution after determining each city's franchise tax share under subsection (b) of this section. The prohibitions in G.S. 105-472(d) on the receipt of funds by a city apply to the distribution under this subsection.

A city's proportionate share is the amount of ad valorem taxes it levies on property having a tax situs in the city compared to the ad valorem taxes levied by all cities on property having a tax situs in the cities. The ad valorem method set out in G.S. 105-472(b)(2) applies in determining the share of a city under this subsection based on ad valorem taxes, except that the amount of ad valorem taxes levied by a city does not include ad valorem taxes levied on behalf of a taxing district and collected by the city.

(d) Nature. - The General Assembly finds that the revenue distributed under this section is local revenue, not a State expenditure, for the purpose of Section 5(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution. The Governor may not reduce or withhold the distribution. (2013-316, s. 4.3(a); 2013-363, s. 11.2.)

§ 105-164.44L. Distribution of part of tax on piped natural gas to cities.

(a) Distribution. - The Secretary must distribute to cities twenty percent (20%) of the net proceeds of the tax collected under G.S. 105-164.4 on piped natural gas, less the cost to the Department of administering the distribution. Each city's share of the amount to be distributed is its excise tax share calculated under subsection (b) of this section plus its ad valorem share calculated under subsection (c) of this section. A gas city will also receive an amount calculated under subsection (b1) of this section as part of its excise tax share. If the net proceeds of the tax allocated under this section are not sufficient to distribute the excise tax share of each city under subsection (b) of this section and the gas city share under subsection (b1) of this section, the proceeds shall be distributed to each city on a pro rata basis. The Secretary must make the distribution within 75 days after the end of each quarter.

(b) Excise Tax Share. - The quarterly excise tax share of a city is the amount of piped natural gas excise tax distributed to the city under repealed G.S. 105-187.44 for the same related quarter that was the last quarter in which taxes were imposed on piped natural gas under repealed Article 5E of this Chapter. The determination made by the Department with respect to a city's excise tax share is final and is not subject to administrative or judicial review.

The excise tax share of a city that has dissolved, merged with another city, or divided into two or more cities since it received a distribution under repealed G.S. 105-187.44 is adjusted as follows:

(1) If a city dissolves and is no longer incorporated, the excise tax share of the city is added to the amount distributed under subsection (c) of this section.

(2) If two or more cities merge or otherwise consolidate, their excise tax shares are combined.

(3) If a city divides into two or more cities, the excise tax share of the city that divides is allocated among the new cities in proportion to the total amount of ad valorem taxes levied by each on property having a tax situs in the city.

(b1) Gas Cities. - In addition to the excise tax share calculated under subsection (b) of this section, a gas city shall receive as part of its excise tax share a distribution calculated under this subsection. The Secretary must determine the amount the gas city would have received under repealed G.S. 105-187.44 for the last year in which taxes were imposed under repealed Article 5E of this Chapter if piped natural gas consumed by the city or delivered by the city to a customer had not been exempt from tax under repealed G.S. 105-187.41(c)(1) and G.S. 105-187.41(c)(2), excluding any amount received under subsection (b) of this section, and divide that amount by four to calculate the quarterly distribution amount for a gas city under this subsection. A gas city must report the information required by the Secretary to make the distribution under this section in the form, manner, and time required by the Secretary. The determination made by the Department with respect to a gas city's share under this subsection is final and is not subject to administrative or judicial review. For purposes of this section, the term "gas city" is a city in this State that operated a piped natural gas distribution system as of July 1, 1998. These cities are Bessemer City, Greenville, Kings Mountain, Lexington, Monroe, Rocky Mount, Shelby, and Wilson.

(c) Ad Valorem Share. - The ad valorem share of a city is its proportionate share of the amount that remains for distribution after determining each city's excise tax share under subsection (b) of this section. Only cities that receive an excise tax share under subsection (b) of this section for any quarter of the year are eligible to receive an ad valorem share. The prohibitions in G.S. 105-472(d) on the receipt of funds by a city apply to the distribution under this subsection.

A city's proportionate share is the amount of ad valorem taxes it levies on property having a tax situs in the city compared to the ad valorem taxes levied by all cities on property having a tax situs in the cities. The ad valorem method set out in G.S. 105-472(b)(2) applies in determining the share of a city under this section based on ad valorem taxes, except that the amount of ad valorem taxes levied by a city does not include ad valorem taxes levied on behalf of a taxing district and collected by the city.

(d) Nature. - The General Assembly finds that the revenue distributed under this section is local revenue, not a State expenditure, for the purpose of Section 5(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution. The Governor may not reduce or withhold the distribution. (2013-316, s. 4.3(a); 2014-3, s. 14.13(e); 2014-39, ss. 1(b)-(d).)

§ 105-164.44M. Transfer to Highway Fund.

(a) Aviation. - The net proceeds of the tax collected on aviation gasoline and jet fuel under G.S. 105-164.4 must be transferred within 75 days after the end of each fiscal year to the Highway Fund. This amount is annually appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Division of Aviation of the Department of Transportation for prioritized capital improvements to general aviation airports for time-sensitive aviation capital improvement projects for economic development purposes.

(b) Transportation Needs. - The Secretary must, on a monthly basis, transfer to the Funds listed below a percentage of the net proceeds of the tax collected under this Article at the State's general rate of tax set in G.S. 105-164.4(a). The percentages that must be transferred are as follows:

Percentage to Percentage to

Fiscal Year Highway Fund Highway Trust Fund

2022-23 2% 0%

2023-24 1% 3%

2024-25 and thereafter 1.5% 4.5%. (2015-259, s. 4.1(d); 2017-57, s. 34.21(a); 2022-74, s. 42.3(a); 2024-15, s. 18(a).)