Kentucky taxes and calculators, 2026
What Kentuckians pay in income, sales, and property tax this year, with calculators that already have Kentucky's figures loaded.
Kentucky income tax in 2026
Kentucky applies a single 3.5% rate after a standard deduction of $3,360 (single) / $3,360 (joint). A single filer earning $75,000 pays about $2,507 in state income tax and takes home about $59,085.
| Taxable income over (single) | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 | 3.5% |
- Kentucky's rate fell from 4.0% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026.
- Kentucky's standard deduction is per return and is not doubled for joint filers.
- Most Kentucky counties and cities levy occupational license taxes (often 1% to 2.5%); they are not included.
Kentucky sales tax
The state rate is 6%. There are no local sales taxes.
- No local sales taxes. Groceries are exempt.
Kentucky property tax and home prices
Homeowners in Kentucky paid an effective 0.74% of home value in property tax in 2024, the #31 highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. The typical home was worth about $234,510 as of July 31, 2026, which works out to roughly $1,735 a year in property tax on a typical home.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kentucky a high-tax or low-tax state?
It depends on the tax. In 2026, Kentucky has a top income tax rate of 3.5% (ranked #36 of 51), an average combined sales tax of 6% (ranked #39), and an effective property tax rate of 0.74% (ranked #31). States that skip one tax usually lean harder on another.
What is the take-home pay on $75,000 in Kentucky?
About $59,085 a year for a single filer with the standard deduction, or roughly $2,273 every two weeks, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Kentucky income tax.
Does Kentucky tax groceries?
No, groceries are exempt from sales tax in Kentucky.
Data sources & last verified
Last verified · Tax year 2026
- IRS, IR-2025-103: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective January 1, 2026 · Brackets and standard deduction.
- Social Security Administration, Contribution and Benefit Base (2026: $184,500) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective January 1, 2026
- IRS Topic 560, Additional Medicare Tax (0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 joint; not indexed) (opens in new tab) Retrieved
- IRS Notice 2025-67, 2026 retirement plan limits ($24,500 elective deferral; $8,000 catch-up age 50+) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective January 1, 2026
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19, 2026 HSA contribution limits ($4,400 self-only / $8,750 family) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective January 1, 2026
- Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective January 1, 2026
- Tax Foundation, 2026 Sales Tax Rates, Midyear Update (state and average local rates as of July 1, 2026) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective July 1, 2026
- Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), all homes, smoothed & seasonally adjusted, 2026-07-31 (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective July 31, 2026 · Typical value of homes in the 35th to 65th percentile for the state; used only as a starting default.
- Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · Statewide effective rate on owner-occupied housing: total real estate taxes paid divided by total home value. Your county rate will differ.
We re-check these figures when agencies publish updates and at least quarterly. See our data policy for how corrections are handled, or report an error.