Kentucky paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Flat 3.5% income tax |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $3,360 single, $3,360 married |
| Personal exemptions & credits | None |
| Local income taxes | Louisville Metro resident (2.2%); Lexington-Fayette (2.25%); Other city/county |
| Disability / paid leave deductions | None |
| Federal taxes | Income tax plus Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% |
Good to know
- Flat 3.5% state income tax in 2026 (down from 4%).
- Standard deduction $3,360.
- Local occupational taxes are common: Louisville Metro about 2.2% and Lexington-Fayette about 2.25% (confirm your rate).
- Kentucky has no personal exemption.
Kentucky salary after taxes (2026)
Take-home pay at common Kentucky salaries. The table follows the filing status, pay frequency and deductions you enter above.
| Salary | State & local | Take-home / year | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $25,353 | $975.10 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $33,038 | $1,270.68 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $40,723 | $1,566.25 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $48,408 | $1,861.83 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $59,085 | $2,272.50 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $75,798 | $2,915.29 |
| $125,000 | $4,257 | $92,446 | $3,555.62 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $108,659 | $4,179.18 |
Kentucky hourly paycheck examples
Weekly take-home pay for common hourly wages in Kentucky. Need a yearly figure? Use the hourly to salary calculator.
| Hourly wage | Weekly gross | Weekly take-home | Yearly take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00/hr | $600.00 | $505.28 | $26,275 |
| $18.00/hr | $720.00 | $597.50 | $31,070 |
| $20.00/hr | $800.00 | $658.98 | $34,267 |
| $25.00/hr | $1,000.00 | $812.68 | $42,260 |
| $30.00/hr | $1,200.00 | $966.38 | $50,252 |
| $40.00/hr | $1,600.00 | $1,241.67 | $64,567 |
Kentucky vs. neighboring states
Take-home pay on the same pay — $75,000 a year — in Kentucky and the states around it.
| State | State & local taxes | Take-home / year | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $0 | $61,593 | $2,368.94 |
| Ohio | $1,287 | $60,306 | $2,319.44 |
| Kentucky | $2,507 | $59,085 | $2,272.50 |
| Missouri | $2,534 | $59,059 | $2,271.50 |
| West Virginia | $2,680 | $58,912 | $2,265.86 |
| Indiana | $3,293 | $58,300 | $2,242.29 |
| Virginia | $3,498 | $58,094 | $2,234.39 |
| Illinois | $3,568 | $58,025 | $2,231.72 |
Frequently asked questions
What is Kentucky’s income tax rate in 2026?
Kentucky’s flat rate fell to 3.5% on January 1, 2026.
What is the occupational tax on my Kentucky paycheck?
Many Kentucky cities, counties and school districts charge an occupational license tax on wages earned there. Check your pay stub or local tax office and enter the combined rate.
What is the Kentucky income tax rate in 2026?
Kentucky has a flat 3.5% income tax. Deductions, exemptions and credits mean your effective rate is lower than the top rate.
How much is $50,000 a year after taxes in Kentucky?
A single filer earning $50,000 in Kentucky takes home about $40,723 a year, or $1,566.25 every two weeks, after $3,820 federal income tax, $3,825 FICA and $1,632 in Kentucky taxes.
How much is $100,000 after taxes in Kentucky?
About $75,798 a year ($2,915.29 per biweekly paycheck) for a single filer with no pre-tax benefits — a total tax rate of 24.2%.
How much is $25 an hour after taxes in Kentucky?
Working 40 hours a week at $25 an hour, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $812.68 a week, or $42,260 a year.
How often are the Kentucky rates updated?
We verify federal and Kentucky rates every January and whenever Kentucky changes its law mid-year. Current figures were verified October 31, 2026 for tax year 2026.
Sources
- Kentucky Department of Revenue
- IRS: 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- IRS Publication 15-T (federal withholding methods)
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- Tax Foundation: 2026 State Income Tax Rates and Brackets
Rates last verified October 31, 2026 by Easy Paycheck Calculator Editorial Team. See the methodology for every formula.