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Moore County, NC Local Taxes & Fees: Business Tax Classification (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Moore County Code § 9-62(a)
Specialty market operator
$200.00 annually
Fortune tellers
$200.00 annually
Music machine / video game
$5.00 per machine
License period
July 1 through June 30
Late-start proration
Half tax after January 31

Summary

Moore County levies an annual privilege license tax on specific business categories rather than businesses generally, from $5.00 for a music machine or video game to $200.00 for a specialty market operator or a fortune teller, under Section 9-62 of the county code.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Moore County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)Levy of tax. An annual privilege license tax is hereby levied on each business conducted within this county according to the following list. The statute number in parenthesis indicates the former statute that levied this tax. ... Specialty market operator (105-53) .....200.00 Automatic sprinkler systems, sale or installation (105-55) .....100.00 Elevators, sale or installation (105-55) .....100.00 Fortune tellers (105-58) .....200.00 Music machines, per machine (105-65) .....5.00 Electronic video games, per machine (105-66.1) .....5.00

Full Breakdown

Section 9-62(a) of the Moore County Code levies an annual privilege license tax on each business conducted in the county according to a fixed classification list, with the old North Carolina General Statute that once authorized each category noted in parentheses since the state repealed its own privilege-tax statutes. 00 per machine, alongside separate rates for animal shows and circuses, peddlers, firearm dealers, service stations, pool tables and bowling alleys, and loan agencies, check-cashing businesses and pawnbrokers. Section 9-61(b) states the article is enacted for revenue purposes only and construed to require the maximum tax its terms permit; holding a license does not excuse compliance with any other ordinance.

S. 1 allows, though even an exempt business must still obtain a no-fee license. Licenses run July 1 through June 30, with tax due July 1 or, for a business starting after that date, before it opens; a business starting after January 31 owes only half the annual tax, as does a seasonal business operating six months or less a year.

Violations & Fines

Conducting a taxed business without paying the privilege license tax due under Section 9-62 lets the tax collector refuse or revoke the license under Section 9-63(b), and Section 9-64(j) authorizes collection of any deficiency through levy, attachment and garnishment under G.S. 153A-147, plus an additional tax of five percent every 30 days, capped at 25 percent with a $5.00 minimum, for businesses taxed under G.S. 105-88 such as loan agencies and pawnbrokers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Moore County tax every business the same way?
No. Section 9-62(a) taxes specific classifications at set rates, ranging from $5.00 per music machine or video game up to $200.00 for a specialty market operator or fortune teller, rather than applying one flat business tax countywide.
Is anyone exempt from Moore County's privilege license tax?
Section 9-62(g) exempts charitable, religious, educational, civic, patriotic or fraternal businesses whose full income goes to that purpose, and exempts blind persons and armed forces or merchant marine members under G.S. 105-249.1, though they must still obtain a license.
When is the Moore County business privilege tax due?
The license year runs July 1 through June 30 with tax due July 1, but a business that opens after July 1 must pay before starting, and one that opens after January 31 owes only half the annual tax under Section 9-62(d).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Moore County

All Moore County rules

Compare Moore County to another location·View the North Carolina local taxes & fees overview

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