Personal Property

North Carolina General Statutes require all individuals owning personal property on January 1 of each year to annually list that property and pay taxes.

Individual personal property includes:

• Unlicensed vehicles, which are those not having an active registration on January 1, including automobiles, trucks, trailers, campers, and motorcycles
• IRP vehicles (International Registration Plan plates)
• Watercraft such as boats, boat motors and jet skis
• Mobile homes
• Aircraft, including hot air balloons, ultralights, and gliders
• Vehicles and trailers with permanent multi-year tags

Any individual or business owning or possessing personal property used or connected with a business or other income producing purpose, is required to file a listing form with the Cumberland County Tax Office.

Business personal property is tangible assets that are used in conjunction with a business. These assets include machinery, computers, office equipment, furniture, supplies, signs, fixtures, spare parts, leasehold improvements, construction in progress, IRP (International Registration Plate), unlicensed and multi-year tag vehicles, etc.

Business Personal Property Brochure

Business Personal Property Email:         

All persons engaged in farm/agri-businesses must file a listing of all of their income producing personal property with the Cumberland County Tax Office.

Farm/agri-business personal property includes, but is not limited to, tractors, motors, loaders, power equipment, machinery such as corn pickers, hay balers, wheat drills, plows, harrows, cultivators, hog and poultry house equipment such as feeders, circulating fans, feed bins and conveyers, untagged vehicles and trailers, as well as any computer/office equipment, furniture, supplies, signs, fixtures, spare parts, leasehold improvements, etc. 

2025 Farm Listing Form

Business Personal Property Email:         

Unregistered motor vehicles and vehicles that have an IRP plate (International Registration Plan/Apportioned), or permanent/multi-year plates must be listed each year.

The NC Department of Motor Vehicles sends out a combined notice that includes both the vehicle registration fee and property taxes due. You pay NC DMV for the entire bill by mail, online or in person at any NC License Plate Agency. You will not be able to renew your registration without paying the property tax that is due.

If you purchase a vehicle and do not transfer an active tag to it, you will be required to either pay the property tax at the time you register the vehicle or acquire a limited registration plate, which allows you approximately 60 days to pay the tax and receive your permanent plate.

Visit the NCDMV website to Renew & Pay Property Taxes.

Antique Automobile Application