RALEIGH, NC — State officials have escalated oversight of North Carolina’s temporary motor fuel tax suspension, launching formal investigations into service stations accused of pocketing savings meant for drivers. Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that inquiry demand letters were issued to 31 gas stations statewide following consumer reports that pump prices failed to reflect the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon tax cut.
Enacted under Session Law 2026-62, the tax pause runs from October 10 through November 30 to provide financial relief to motorists, commercial drivers, and agricultural operations. Under state consumer protection laws, retailers were permitted to sell existing inventory purchased prior to October 10 at standard rates, but failing to lower prices after receiving fresh, tax-free deliveries constitutes an illegal business practice.
State enforcement officers are reviewing complaint submissions uploaded through the online portal at ncdoj.gov/ncfuelcheck and the 1-877-5-NO-SCAM hotline. Drivers filing complaints are asked to provide the station’s name, address, fuel grade, pricing, and photos of pump signs and sales receipts.
While an inquiry letter does not confirm wrongdoing, targeted retailers must provide delivery schedules and margin documentation to account for their pricing.
The 52-day tax holiday represents an estimated $362.3 million loss in state motor fuel tax collections. To prevent delays to active highway construction, regional repaving contracts, and municipal infrastructure projects, lawmakers authorized direct transfers from the state’s Stabilization and Inflation Reserve to hold the North Carolina Department of Transportation harmless.
In addition to consumer pump relief, administrative and agricultural provisions under the law remain active through the end of the year. The Department of Revenue reminds commercial fuel distributors and carriers that standard motor fuel tax returns and gallon filings remain mandatory despite the zero-rate status.
Meanwhile, executive penalty waivers allowing farmers, commercial loggers, and fishermen to operate highway vehicles using lower-cost dyed diesel remain in effect through December 31.
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