Kentucky Income Tax Calculator 2026 — Free KY Tax Estimator
Kentucky taxes all individual income at one flat rate — 3.5% for 2026, down from 4% under House Bill 1. Enter your gross income, pick your filing status, and this calculator subtracts the 2026 standard deduction to estimate your Kentucky tax, effective rate, and take-home pay. It runs entirely in your browser — your numbers are never sent anywhere.
Kentucky Income Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate your 2026 Kentucky tax in seconds — flat 3.5% rate, $3,360 standard deduction, effective rate and take-home.
1 Your 2026 income
2 Your estimate
🧾 2026 Kentucky estimate
How it works
The calculator starts with your gross annual income and subtracts Kentucky’s 2026 standard deduction — $3,360 for single filers, $6,720 for married filing jointly ($3,360 per taxpayer). What’s left is your Kentucky taxable income, and Kentucky taxes all of it at one flat 3.5% rate — there are no graduated brackets. Your effective rate (tax divided by gross income) comes out lower than 3.5% because the deduction shields the first slice of income. Kentucky cut its rate from 4% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026 under House Bill 1 (2025).
| Filing status | 2026 rate | Standard deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 3.5% flat | $3,360 |
| Married filing jointly | 3.5% flat | $6,720 |
Rates verified October 2026 — Tax Foundation 2026 Kentucky income tax rates page; Kentucky Department of Revenue standard deduction announcement.
Everyday uses
- Kentucky workers — estimate your state withholding so April brings a refund, not a surprise bill.
- New residents — Kentucky’s flat tax is simple, but see the real dollar cost before you move.
- Remote workers — if any of your income is sourced in Kentucky, check your exposure here.
- Freelancers — rough out Kentucky estimated tax payments for the year.
- Job seekers — compare offers by real take-home pay, not headline salary.
Disclaimer: This tool is an educational estimate based on the verified 2026 rates above — not tax advice. It excludes federal income tax, tax credits, and local taxes. Many Kentucky cities and counties levy their own occupational or license taxes on wages, so your real withholding may be higher than this estimate.