Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment Program
Who qualifies
- Age
- 65 or older
- Income limit
- $58,200Two-tier limit for 2026: owners with prior-year income up to $38,800 have tax capped at 4% of income; owners with income above $38,800 but not exceeding $58,200 (150% of base) have tax capped at 5% of income. Owner must be at least 65 OR totally and permanently disabled, and must have owned and occupied the residence for at least the preceding five years. Thresholds indexed annually.
- Ownership
- Qualifying owner as of January 1; minimum five years of ownership and occupancy required.
- Residency
- Property must be the owner's permanent legal residence in North Carolina, owned and occupied by the qualifying owner for at least five years.
How much it saves
No dollar estimate. This postpones — not forgives — the tax; deferred amounts are paid later, so there is no annual dollar saving to estimate.
How to apply
- Application required: Yes
- Deadline: June 1 of the tax year; a new application must be filed each year to continue the deferment.
- Renewal: annual — Application must be filed annually. Deferred taxes for the current and three prior years become payable with interest upon a disqualifying event (death, transfer, or the residence ceasing to be the owner's permanent residence).
- Official application form
Combining with other exemptions
An owner may receive only one of the three relief programs.
Official sources:
Informational only — not legal or tax advice. Exemption rules and amounts are summarized from official statutes and state tax-agency sources as of each program's verified date and can change by legislative session. Dollar figures are estimates derived from Census ACS county tax data, not actual bills. Confirm your eligibility and current amounts with your county assessor before relying on anything here.