How Kentucky taxes your paycheck
Kentucky has a flat 3.5% income tax for tax year 2026. Before the rate applies, the calculator subtracts a standard deduction of $3,360 for single filers, $3,360 for married couples filing jointly.
Traditional 401(k) contributions are excluded from Kentucky taxable wages, and Section 125 health premiums are excluded.
Figures are from 2026 Kentucky Withholding Tax Formula (tax year 2026).
Take-home pay examples in Kentucky
A single filer earning $60,000 in Kentucky, paid every two weeks, takes home about $1,861.83 per paycheck, or $48,408 a year. Of the $60,000, $5,020 goes to federal income tax, $4,590 to Social Security and Medicare, and $1,982 to Kentucky income tax.
At $100,000, take-home pay is about $75,798 a year ($2,915.29 per paycheck), with $3,382 of Kentucky income tax. A married couple filing jointly on one $100,000 salary keeps about $81,328, because of the larger standard deduction. The table below shows more salaries.
Other Kentucky payroll deductions
Kentucky has no state-mandated employee payroll contribution, such as disability or paid family leave insurance, included in this calculator. Your paycheck may still show voluntary or employer-specific deductions.
Local income taxes in Kentucky
Local occupational taxes may apply to wages in Kentucky cities and counties. Local taxes are not included in the calculator, so subtract them separately if they apply to you.
Hourly pay in Kentucky
A full-time worker earning $20 an hour (40 hours a week, $41,600 a year) in Kentucky takes home about $1,317.97 every two weeks, or $658.98 a week on average, as a single filer. Kentucky income tax takes $1,338 of that pay a year, an effective state rate of 3.217%. Choose Hourly wage in the calculator to enter your own rate and hours.
Kentucky compared with neighboring states
On a $75,000 salary (single, no pre-tax deductions), take-home pay in Kentucky is about $59,085 a year. It is higher in Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana, and lower in Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia and Illinois. The comparison table below shows the difference in dollars. Where you live usually decides which state taxes your wages, but people who live in one state and work in another should check both states' rules on residency and credits.
What else to know about Kentucky taxes
The standard deduction applies per person; spouses may figure Kentucky tax separately.
Many Kentucky cities and counties charge occupational license taxes on wages (Louisville, Lexington and others). They are not included here.
What this estimate does not include
Tax credits, itemized deductions, other income, overtime, bonuses, local income taxes and post-tax deductions are not included, and actual withholding follows your Form W-4 and Kentucky's own withholding rules. Use it as a planning estimate. For the method and the federal rules, see the main paycheck calculator.