Kentucky Paycheck Calculator
Kentucky taxes wages at a flat 3.5% for 2026, after a small standard deduction of $3,360.
Worked example
Single filer earning $60,000 in Kentucky, paid biweekly: federal tax is $5,020.00/yr (after the $16,100 standard deduction). Kentucky taxable income is $60,000 − the $3,360 standard deduction = $56,640.00, so state tax is $1,982.40/yr. Social Security is $3,720 and Medicare is $870. Take-home: $48,407.60/yr — $1,861.83 per biweekly paycheck. Change the salary above and try your own.
How Kentucky paycheck tax works
Federal first: your employer annualizes each paycheck. Federal taxable income is your gross minus the IRS standard deduction for 2026 — $16,100 if you file single, $32,200 married filing jointly (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) — then taxed through the 2026 federal brackets (10% up to 22% across most middle incomes). Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and Medicare takes 1.45% of all wages (plus 0.9% over $200,000 single / $250,000 joint).
Kentucky tax uses its 2026 tables: a flat 3.5% for 2026 (down from 4.0% in 2025). Kentucky's standard deduction is $3,360 for 2026 — one amount that is the same for single and joint filers. This calculator annualizes your salary; your employer's per-paycheck withholding may differ slightly.
Local taxes not included: Many Kentucky cities and counties levy a local occupational tax (often 0.5%–2.5%). That local tax is not included here.
Kentucky paycheck FAQ
What is the Kentucky income tax rate in 2026?
For 2026, Kentucky taxes wages at a flat 3.5% for 2026 (down from 4.0% in 2025), after the $3,360 standard deduction. Enter your salary above to see the dollar amount on your income.
What about local taxes in Kentucky?
Many Kentucky cities and counties levy a local occupational tax (often 0.5%–2.5%). That local tax is not included here.
My real Kentucky paycheck is different. Why?
Pre-tax 401(k) or HSA contributions, health premiums, garnishments, bonuses (often withheld at a flat 22% federal), and your W-4 elections all move the real number. Many states also withhold a little differently per paycheck than this annualized estimate. Treat this as a close, honest estimate — not payroll software.
What about overtime or a bonus?
Overtime hours are taxed at the same rates — a higher paycheck just annualizes higher. Try our time and a half calculator and bonus tax calculator for those.