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Kentucky Paycheck Calculator 2026

Kentucky withholds a flat 3.5% state income tax. Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Kentucky withholding.

Last updated

Your pay in Kentucky

How are you paid?

Other states are coming soon.

Check if you have more than one job, or you and your spouse both work, and you ticked Step 2(c).

Traditional (pre-tax). Lowers income tax, not FICA.

Pre-tax (Section 125). Lowers income tax and FICA.

More W-4 and paycheck options

Include any tips or overtime deduction you claim here.

Roth 401(k) and similar.

Optional. Places the Social Security cap and the extra Medicare tax.

Estimated take-home pay per paycheck

$1,625.37

$42,259.62 a year, 26 paychecks in Kentucky

Paycheck breakdown
ItemPer paycheckPer year
Gross pay$2,000.00$52,000.00
Federal income tax−$156.15−$4,059.90
Social Security (6.2%)−$124.00−$3,224.00
Medicare (1.45%)−$29.00−$754.00
Kentucky income tax−$65.48−$1,702.48
Take-home pay$1,625.37$42,259.62

Total taxes: $374.63 per paycheck, $9,740.38 a year. Amounts are shown in cents; payroll systems may round withholding to whole dollars.

Rates as of: IRS Pub 15-T (2026), rev. Dec 3, 2025 · SSA 2026 · Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Revenue, 2026 Kentucky Withholding Tax Formula (42A003). Methodology and sources

This is payroll withholding, not your final tax bill. Your actual tax may differ when you file.

Kentucky payroll taxes in 2026

State income tax withholding
3.5% flat
  • Kentucky withholds 3.5% of annual wages after a $3,360 standard deduction.
  • Local occupational license taxes (city and county) are not included.
  • State wages are assumed to equal federal income tax wages (401(k) and Section 125 contributions excluded).

Rates in effect January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026; checked against the sources on October 1, 2026. Sources: Kentucky Department of Revenue, 2026 Kentucky Withholding Tax Formula (42A003).

Paycheck calculators for nearby states

  • Indiana (coming soon)
  • Ohio (coming soon)
  • West Virginia (coming soon)
  • Virginia (coming soon)
  • Tennessee
  • Missouri (coming soon)
  • Illinois

See all states

Kentucky paycheck questions

Does Kentucky have income tax?

Kentucky withholds a flat 3.5% state income tax. Local occupational license taxes (city and county) are not included. State wages are assumed to equal federal income tax wages (401(k) and Section 125 contributions excluded).

Are local taxes in Kentucky included?

No. City, county and school district taxes are not included in this estimate. If you pay one, your paycheck will be smaller than shown.

Do 401(k) contributions reduce Social Security tax?

No. Traditional 401(k) and 403(b) contributions lower the wages used for federal income tax, but not for Social Security and Medicare. Section 125 benefits (health, dental and vision premiums, and HSA contributions through a cafeteria plan) lower both. In Pennsylvania, 401(k) contributions are also subject to state income tax.

Is this tax advice?

No. It is an estimate of payroll withholding, not your final tax bill and not tax, legal or financial advice. Your actual tax may differ when you file. For your situation, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator (irs.gov/w4app) or a tax professional.

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