Kentucky take-home pay calculator (2026)

See your 2026 paycheck in Kentucky after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, Kentucky state tax and 401(k) contributions.

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How Kentucky taxes your paycheck

Kentucky uses a flat income tax rate of 3.5%. The standard deduction is $3,360 for single filers and $3,360 for married couples filing jointly.

2026 change: Kentucky’s rate dropped from 4% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026.

Kentucky income tax brackets (2026)

Rate	Single: income over	Married filing jointly: income over
3.5%	$0	$0

Income here means taxable income after deductions and exemptions.

Federal taxes and FICA

Your paycheck also pays federal income tax from the 2026 brackets, Social Security tax of 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare tax of 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers.

What this estimate leaves out

It uses 2026 federal rules and each state’s published rates, brackets and standard deductions. Head of household is treated like single for state tax. It does not include every state credit, deduction or phase-out, so your real withholding can differ. Local income taxes, such as city or county taxes, are included only if you enter a rate. Use your pay stub, your state revenue department, or a tax professional for exact figures.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my Kentucky paycheck look different from this estimate?

Employers use withholding tables, and your W-4, health insurance premiums, local taxes and benefits all change the real number.

Is this the same as the general take-home pay calculator?

It uses the same federal calculation but applies Kentucky’s actual state rules instead of a flat percentage you enter yourself.

See all states | General take-home pay calculator

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