US sales tax · 2026
Kentucky sales tax calculator 2026
The Kentucky state sales tax rate is 6% in 2026, so a $100 purchase costs $106.00. There are no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same everywhere in the state. That puts Kentucky 39th highest of 51 states and DC by combined rate.
State rates checked against Tax Foundation on .
State rate
6%
2026
Average combined rate
6%
no local taxes
Tax on $100
$6.00
at the state rate
Tax on $1,000
$60.00
at the state rate
Sales tax in Kentucky by price
State tax and total at the exact state rate.
| Price | State tax | Total at state rate |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.60 | $10.60 |
| $25 | $1.50 | $26.50 |
| $50 | $3.00 | $53.00 |
| $100 | $6.00 | $106.00 |
| $250 | $15.00 | $265.00 |
| $500 | $30.00 | $530.00 |
| $1,000 | $60.00 | $1,060.00 |
| $5,000 | $300.00 | $5,300.00 |
Working out the price before tax
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A receipt total of $106.00 at 6% means a pre-tax price of $100.00 and tax of $6.00. The calculator does this for you in its "remove tax" mode.
Buying online
Since the 2018 Wayfair decision, most online sellers charge sales tax based on the delivery address, so an online order shipped to Kentucky is taxed at Kentucky rates, not the seller's.
Guides and definitions
- Long term capital gains tax: 2026 rates, brackets and examples (Guide)
- Child tax credit 2026: amount, income limits and who qualifies (Guide)
- Earned income tax credit: who qualifies and how much you get (Guide)
- Child Tax Credit (The Child Tax Credit cuts US federal tax by up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,700 refundable.)
- FICA (FICA is the US payroll tax for Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000).)
- Marginal tax rate (Your marginal tax rate is the share of your next pound or dollar of income that goes in tax and deductions.)
- Standard deduction (The standard deduction is the fixed amount US taxpayers subtract from income before federal tax: $16,100 single, $32,200 joint for 2026.)
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) (State Disability Insurance is a payroll deduction that funds short-term disability and paid family leave; California takes 1.3% of all wages in 2026.)
States with a similar rate
- Washington DC (6% state rate)
- Maryland (6% state rate)
- Michigan (6% state rate)
- Idaho (6% state rate)
- South Dakota (4.2% state rate)
- Virginia (5.3% state rate)
Every state compared · Add or remove sales tax on your own price
Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in Kentucky?
The state rate is 6% in 2026. There are no local sales taxes, so that is the rate everywhere in the state.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Kentucky?
$6.00 at the state rate, for a total of $106.00.
How much is sales tax on $1,000 in Kentucky?
$60.00 at the state rate, so $1,000 becomes $1,060.00.
How do I work out the price before tax in Kentucky?
Divide the total by 1.06. For example, $530.00 divided by 1.06 is $500.00, so the tax was $30.00.
Is Kentucky sales tax high?
Kentucky ranks 39th of 51 by combined state and average local rate. The highest is Louisiana at about 10.134%, and five states charge no state sales tax.
Sources and assumptions
- State rates are the general sales tax rate on most goods. Groceries, clothing, cars, services and hotel stays can be taxed differently.
- Local rates are state averages; the exact local rate depends on the city, county and district of the sale or delivery address.
Estimates, not tax advice. The receipt from the seller shows the actual tax charged.