More Than 470 Complaints Filed Over Gas Prices After N.C. Tax Suspension

RALEIGH – More than 470 complaints have been filed with the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office since the launch of a new program aimed at determining whether gas stations are passing along savings from the state’s temporary suspension of the motor fuel tax.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson said his office has begun contacting gas stations that may not be reflecting the tax savings in their pump prices.

“We’re asking consumers to be our eyes and ears by reporting gas stations they think aren’t passing on gas tax savings at the pump,” Jackson said. “To consumers that have filed complaints: Thank you. We’re reviewing every single one.”

The General Assembly approved and Gov. Josh Stein signed Session Law 2026-62 earlier this month, temporarily suspending North Carolina’s 41-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax through Nov. 30.

The suspension took effect Oct. 10.

The law requires the savings from the suspended tax to ultimately be reflected in the price paid by consumers.

However, lower prices were not expected to appear at every station immediately. Gas stations may still be selling fuel purchased before the suspension took effect and on which the state tax had already been paid.

Jackson launched N.C. Fuel Check on Oct. 13, allowing consumers to report stations they believe are not passing along the savings.

The Attorney General’s Office said each complaint is being reviewed and those warranting additional action may be investigated.

The office is also examining publicly available fuel-price information for possible outliers, including stations charging considerably more than comparable stations nearby.

A consumer complaint does not necessarily mean a gas station has violated the law.

Residents who believe a station is not passing along the tax savings are encouraged to provide the station’s name and location, the date and time of the purchase, price and grade of fuel, and photographs of the price sign and receipt when available.

Complaints can be submitted through the N.C. Fuel Check page on the North Carolina Department of Justice website or by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.