Kentucky charges 3.5% flat state income tax plus local taxes in some areas. Use the marriage tax calculator pre-loaded with Kentucky rates.
Open Marriage Tax Calculator →Kentucky's flat 3.5% state income tax interacts with federal brackets to create marriage bonuses or penalties that differ from the federal-only effect. Since Kentucky uses a flat rate, the state tax does not create its own marriage penalty, but it does amplify the federal effect by adding to the total tax burden. Local income taxes in Kentucky add yet another variable to the marriage tax equation. This calculator shows the combined federal and Kentucky state marriage tax impact.
Kentucky levies a flat 3.5% state income tax on all taxable income regardless of how much you earn. This makes tax planning straightforward: for every additional dollar you earn, 3.5 cents goes to Kentucky. However, certain localities in Kentucky impose their own income taxes, which effectively raise the combined state and local rate above 3.5%. Be sure to check whether your city or county adds a local income tax.
The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in Kentucky, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and Kentucky's flat 3.5% state tax plus estimated local taxes.
See how Kentucky compares to other South states. Each link takes you to the marriage tax calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of Kentucky’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full Kentucky take-home pay page.