RALEIGH – North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson has launched N.C. Fuel Check, an initiative designed to ensure that the suspension of the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon gas tax translates into savings for drivers. The Attorney General today put the state’s major gas retailers on notice, emphasizing that the law mandates these tax savings be passed along to customers. The gas tax suspension took effect on October 10 and is scheduled to remain in place through November 30, 2026. Drivers who suspect that gas stations are not complying with this mandate can now report their concerns through the newly established N.C. Fuel Check system.
Attorney General Jackson underscored the importance of this measure for the state's residents. "If gas stations see their costs drop by 41 cents per gallon but don’t pass that along to drivers, that’s a massive windfall for these companies instead of relief for families," he stated. Jackson affirmed that his role is to guarantee that the intended financial benefits reach North Carolina families. This proactive step aims to prevent businesses from retaining the savings meant for consumers, reinforcing the state's commitment to providing tangible economic relief.
The statewide suspension of the gasoline and diesel tax was enacted through Session Law 2026-62. This legislation was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly last week and subsequently signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein. The swift legislative action and gubernatorial approval paved the way for the tax suspension to commence on October 10, establishing a clear directive for gas retailers across the state. The temporary nature of the suspension, set to conclude on November 30, 2026, highlights its immediate focus on short-term relief.
In a direct move to enforce the new law, Attorney General Jackson has dispatched official letters to both gas retailers and distributors operating within North Carolina. These communications explicitly notify them of their legal obligation to adjust prices downward in reflection of the tax savings they now receive. The letters serve as a formal reminder of the law's requirements, aiming to ensure widespread awareness and compliance among all parties involved in the fuel supply chain.
It is important for drivers to understand that fuel prices may not decrease simultaneously across all stations. The pricing mechanism for gasoline accounts for the tax status at the time of purchase by the station. Many stations are currently selling inventory that they acquired prior to October 10, meaning the state tax was already included in their cost. The law acknowledges this transition period. Consumers should anticipate prices to begin dropping as individual stations receive new deliveries of fuel, which will no longer carry the state tax. For the majority of gas stations, this replenishment process is expected to occur within approximately one week from the tax suspension's effective date.
To facilitate compliance and provide an enforcement mechanism, Attorney General Jackson developed N.C. Fuel Check. This program equips the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) with tools to monitor the market effectively. The NCDOJ will systematically review publicly available gas price data, actively searching for what it describes as "outliers." These outliers would include stations whose reported prices remain significantly higher than those of comparable gas stations located nearby, suggesting a potential failure to pass on the tax savings. This data-driven approach aims to identify patterns that might indicate non-compliance without relying solely on individual reports.
Beyond internal monitoring, N.C. Fuel Check empowers the public to participate directly in ensuring the law's effectiveness. Members of the community are encouraged to report any gas stations they believe are not adhering to the requirement of passing along the tax savings. Recognizing the potential for a high volume of public input, the NCDOJ has established dedicated channels for these reports. Drivers can utilize a specific reporting page, ncdoj.gov/ncfuelcheck, which has been created to streamline the process. Additionally, a toll-free phone number, 1-877-5-NO-SCAM, is available for those who prefer to report by phone. These accessible reporting avenues are critical to the comprehensive enforcement strategy, allowing citizens to contribute actively to safeguarding consumer relief.
