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Taxes In Kentucky

Kentucky Tax Rates, Collections, and Burdens

How does Kentucky’s tax code compare? Kentucky has a flat 4.00 percent individual income tax rate. There are also jurisdictions that collect local income taxes. Kentucky has a 5.0 percent corporate income tax rate. Kentucky also has a 6.00 percent state sales tax rate and does not have local sales taxes. Kentucky has a 0.74 percent effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing value.

Kentucky has an inheritance tax. Kentucky has a 30 cents per gallon gas tax rate and a $1.10 cigarette excise tax rate. The State of Kentucky collects $5,945 in state and local tax collections per capita. Kentucky has $12,020 in state and local debt per capita and has a 50 percent funded ratio of public pension plans. Kentucky’s tax system ranks 22nd overall on the 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Each state’s tax code is a multifaceted system with many moving parts, and Kentucky is no exception. The first step towards understanding Kentucky’s tax code is knowing the basics. How does Kentucky collect tax revenue? Click the tabs below to learn more! You can also explore our state tax maps, which are compiled from our annual publication, Facts & Figures 2024: How Does Your State Compare?

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Tax Data by State

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State Tax Data

Individual Taxes

Top Individual Income Tax Rate
4.00%See Full Study
State Local Individual Income Tax Collections per Capita
$1527Rank: 23
State and Local Tax Burden
9.6%Rank: 26See Full Study

Business Taxes

Top Corporate Income Tax Rate
5%See Full Study
State Business Tax Climate Index Ranking
22See Full Study

Sales Taxes

State Sales Tax Rate
6.00%Rank: 17See Full Study
Combined State and Average Local Sales Tax Rate
6.00%Rank: 38See Full Study
State and Local General Sales Tax Collections per Capita
$1011Rank: 41
State Gasoline Tax Rate (cents per gallon)
30.00¢Rank: 24
State Cigarette Tax Rate (dollars per 20-pack)
$1.10Rank: 36

Property Taxes

Property Taxes Paid as a Percentage of Owner-Occupied Housing Value
0.74%Rank: 27
State and Local Property Tax Collections Per Capita
$968Rank: 45

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