N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-330.2 — Appraisal, ownership, and situs

(a) Determination Date for Registered Vehicle. - The ownership, situs, and taxability of a registered classified motor vehicle is determined annually as of the date on which the vehicle's current registration is renewed, regardless of whether the registration is renewed after it has expired, or on the date an application for a new registration is submitted. The situs of a registered classified motor vehicle may not be changed until the next registration date. The value of a registered classified motor vehicle is determined as follows: (1) For a registration expiring or an application for a new registration during the period January 1 through August 31, the value is determined as of January 1 of the current year. (2) For a registration expiring or an application for a new registration during the period September 1 through December 31, the value is determined as of January 1 of the following year. (3) For a new motor vehicle whose value cannot be determined as of January 1 of the year specified in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, the value is determined as of the date that model of motor vehicle is first offered for sale at retail in this State. (4) For a motor vehicle whose value cannot be determined as of the date set under any other subdivision in this subsection, the value is determined using the most currently available January 1 retail value of the vehicle. (a1) Determination Date for Unregistered Vehicle. - The ownership, situs, and taxability of an unregistered classified motor vehicle is determined as of January 1 of the year in which the registration of the motor vehicle expires and is not renewed or the motor vehicle is acquired and the owner does not submit an application for registration. The value of an unregistered classified motor vehicle is determined as of January 1 of the year the vehicle is required to be listed. (b) Value. - An assessor must appraise a classified motor vehicle at its true value in money as prescribed by G.S. 105-283. The sales price of a classified motor vehicle purchased from a dealer, including all accessories attached to the vehicle when it is delivered to the purchaser, is considered the true value of the vehicle, and the assessor must appraise the vehicle at this value. The sales price excludes the tax imposed under Article 5A of this Chapter. The Property Tax Division of the Department of Revenue must annually adopt a schedule of values, standards, and rules to be used in the valuation of all other classified motor vehicles to ensure equitable statewide valuations, taking into account local market conditions and allowing adjustments for mileage and the condition of the vehicles. (b1) Valuation Appeal. - The owner of a classified motor vehicle may appeal the appraised value of the vehicle by filing a request for appeal with the assessor within 30 days of the date taxes are due on the vehicle under G.S. 105-330.4. An owner who appeals the appraised value of a classified motor vehicle must pay the tax on the vehicle when due, subject to a full or partial refund if the appeal is decided in the owner's favor. The combined tax and registration notice or tax receipt for a classified motor vehicle must explain the right to appeal the appraised value of the vehicle. A lessee of a vehicle that is required by the terms of the lease to pay the tax on the vehicle is considered the owner of the vehicle for purposes of filing an appeal under this subsection. Appeals filed under this subsection shall proceed in the manner provided in G.S. 105-312(d). (b2) Exemption or Exclusion Appeal. - The owner of a classified motor vehicle may appeal the vehicle's eligibility for an exemption or exclusion by filing a request for appeal with the assessor within 30 days of the assessor's initial decision on the exemption or exclusion application filed by the owner pursuant to G.S. 105-330.3(b). Appeals filed under this subsection shall proceed in the manner provided in G.S. 105-312(d). (c) Repealed by Session Laws 2008-134, s. 61, effective July 28, 2008. (1991, c. 624, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 961, s. 4; 1995, c. 510, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 646, s. 24; 1997-6, s. 10; 1999-353, s. 1; 2005-294, s. 2; 2005-303, s. 1; 2006-259, s. 31.5; 2007-527, s. 22(b); 2008-134, ss. 61, 65; 2009-445, s. 24(a); 2010-95, s. 22(c); 2011-330, s. 42(a); 2012-79, ss. 3.2, 3.6; 2013-414, ss. 70(b), (d), 71(a), (b).)