Kentucky Take-Home Pay Calculator (2026 estimate)
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% state income tax on all wages. Combined with federal income tax and FICA, the calculator below shows what hits your paycheck and what's left.
Take-home pay
Net annual
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Per month
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Per biweekly paycheck
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Federal income tax
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FICA (SS + Medicare)
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Kentucky state tax
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Other state payroll
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Effective tax rate
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Marginal rate (next $)
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Kentucky tax brackets (2026 thresholds)
| Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|
| 3.50% | All taxable income |
What the calculator does
For each gross annual salary, it estimates federal income-tax liability, FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage cap + 1.45% Medicare), then Kentucky income-tax liability using the brackets above. Pre-tax deductions reduce the modeled taxable income.
Scope: this is an annual planning estimate, not a payroll-withholding calculation. It does not model W-4 or state withholding elections, tax credits, itemized deductions, most local taxes, or employer-specific benefits.
Data sources
Kentucky DOR. Dataset last reviewed 2026-06-08.
For high-stakes decisions, verify the current rules with the linked agency or a qualified tax professional.
FAQ
How is take-home pay in Kentucky calculated?
Take-home = gross salary − federal income tax − FICA (Social Security + Medicare) − Kentucky state income tax. This 2026 planning estimate uses the brackets and rates documented above. State thresholds may be from an earlier tax year; check the year labels and linked sources above.
What is Kentucky's state income tax rate?
Kentucky charges a flat 3.5% state income tax on taxable income. The standard deduction is $3,360 for single filers and $3,360 for married filing jointly.
Anything special about Kentucky taxes I should know?
Kentucky cut flat rate from 4.0% (2025) to 3.5% (2026), effective Jan 1, 2026.
What about local city or county taxes in Kentucky?
Kentucky doesn't have widespread local income taxes for most workers, so the calculator above covers the main paycheck deductions. If you live in a city with a local income tax, add that separately.
Are these 2026 numbers accurate?
This is a planning estimate using the data vintage and sources shown above, last reviewed 2026-06-08. It is not an employer payroll-withholding calculation and does not include every credit, local tax, or employer-specific deduction. Verify the result with your state tax authority or a tax professional before relying on it.