Kentucky paycheck calculator 2026
Estimate your take-home pay in Kentucky after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, Kentucky income tax. Hourly or salary.
What comes out of your paycheck in KentuckyHourly take-home pay in Kentucky
Full time (40 hours a week), biweekly paycheck, single filer with one job and no deductions.
| You earn | Gross per paycheck | Federal | Social Security & Medicare | State and local | Take-home | You keep | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15/h | $1,200.00 | −$60.15 | −$91.80 | −$37.48 | $1,010.57 | 84.2% | $26,275 |
| $20/h | $1,600.00 | −$108.15 | −$122.40 | −$51.48 | $1,317.97 | 82.4% | $34,267 |
| $25/h | $2,000.00 | −$156.15 | −$153.00 | −$65.48 | $1,625.37 | 81.3% | $42,260 |
| $30/h | $2,400.00 | −$204.15 | −$183.60 | −$79.48 | $1,932.77 | 80.5% | $50,252 |
| $40/h | $3,200.00 | −$364.38 | −$244.80 | −$107.48 | $2,483.34 | 77.6% | $64,567 |
Salary after taxes in Kentucky
Annual salary split into 26 paychecks.
| You earn | Gross per paycheck | Federal | Social Security & Medicare | State and local | Take-home | You keep | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,923.08 | −$146.92 | −$147.11 | −$62.78 | $1,566.27 | 81.4% | $40,723 |
| $75,000 | $2,884.62 | −$295.00 | −$220.68 | −$96.44 | $2,272.50 | 78.8% | $59,085 |
| $100,000 | $3,846.15 | −$506.54 | −$294.23 | −$130.09 | $2,915.29 | 75.8% | $75,798 |
Kentucky deductions, line by line
Example at $22 an hour, 80 hours, biweekly paycheck.
Kentucky · −$57.08
This is Kentucky state income tax: 3.5% of your annualized pay after subtracting the $3,360 standard deduction. It is the same for every filing status.
Source: KY DOR, 42A003 (TCF) (2026)Kentucky cities with a local tax
If your situation has more to it
The assumptions behind the estimate
Kentucky's formula is the same for everyone: it does not depend on filing status or allowances. Assumes you do not claim an exemption from withholding on Form K-4.
What is not included
Covers only Louisville Metro (Jefferson County) and Lexington (Fayette County). It does not include the occupational taxes of other Kentucky cities, counties and school districts (for example Covington, Bowling Green, Owensboro or Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties), some of which have an annual cap. It also leaves out Lexington's $3,000 exemption for people 65 or older, which is claimed as a refund.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax is taken out of a paycheck in Kentucky?
At $20 an hour and 40 hours a week, a biweekly paycheck of $1,600.00 has $108.15 of federal income tax, $122.40 of Social Security and Medicare and $51.48 of state taxes withheld. You take home $1,317.97, or 82.4%. This is an estimate for a single filer with one job and no deductions.
Does Kentucky have a state income tax on wages?
Yes. This is Kentucky state income tax: 3.5% of your annualized pay after subtracting the $3,360 standard deduction.
Are there city or county taxes in Kentucky?
Yes. In Kentucky we calculate 2 cities, counties or districts with a local tax. Choose where you live and where you work in the calculator to include it.
Is overtime taxed more?
There is no special rate for overtime: it is added to your pay for the period and withholding is figured on the total, which is why the check grows less than you expect. From 2025 through 2028 you can deduct from federal income tax the extra half of your overtime (up to $12,500; $25,000 if married) if your income is under $150,000; it only lowers each paycheck's withholding if you entered it on your W-4.
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
It uses the official 2026 withholding rules from the IRS and Kentucky. It is still an estimate: your employer knows your W-4, your deductions and your year-to-date earnings. It is not tax or legal advice.
Official sources
- IRS, Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- IRS, Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide — Social Security and Medicare
- KY DOR, 2026 Kentucky Withholding Tax Formula, 42A003 (TCF)(10-2025)
- KY DOR, Kentucky Withholding Tax Tables 2026 (verificación de la fórmula)