North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 105. Taxation § 105-282.8. Assessment and collection

The taxes levied under this Article shall be assessed to the lessee or user of the exempt property and shall be collected in the same manner and to the extent as if the lessee or user owned the property. The taxes are a debt due from the lessee or user to the taxing unit in which the property is located and are recoverable as other actions to collect a debt.