Kentucky charges 3.5% flat state income tax plus local taxes in some areas. Use the paycheck calculator pre-loaded with Kentucky rates.
Open Paycheck Calculator →Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% income tax, so the state withholding on each paycheck is predictable and easy to verify. Your employer withholds federal tax progressively, FICA at the standard 7.65%, and a flat 3.5% for Kentucky. Some localities in Kentucky add their own income tax, which further reduces your per-paycheck net. Enter your gross pay into the calculator to see exactly what lands in your bank account each pay period.
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 paycheck 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.