Generally speaking, you are required to "file" a North Carolina tax return if your income exceeds a certain minimal amount. Whether you are getting a refund...or owe $$ to NC, has nothing to do with whether you have to submit your NC tax file.
So...There's a simple chart on the NC tax page...if your Federal Adjusted Gross income (AGI) exceeds the limit in the chart (bottom of the page) then you have to prepare and submit your NC tax file.
http://www.dornc.com/taxes/individual/filing.html