Kentucky Paycheck Calculator 2026

How Kentucky payroll taxes impact your 2026 paycheck

Kentucky uses a flat 4% state income tax in 2026. Every dollar of taxable income is treated the same, which makes estimating Kentucky paychecks straightforward compared to states with many brackets.

Because we already maintain federal, FICA, and Kentucky withholding tables for every filing status, the calculator instantly shows both per-paycheck and annual net pay. Toggle between salary and hourly pay, include pre-tax deductions such as 401(k), HSA, or health insurance, and watch the tool recompute your Kentucky take-home pay immediately.

How to use the Kentucky paycheck calculator

1. Select salary or hourly pay and enter your gross income.
2. Choose Kentucky as your state (using ?state=KY in the URL fills it in automatically).
3. Pick your pay frequency and filing status, then add any 401(k), HSA, or health insurance deductions.
4. Click “Calculate My Paycheck” and review the per-paycheck plus annual summary, including federal, Kentucky, and FICA withholding.

Kentucky local taxes and paycheck adjustments

Many Kentucky workers also face local payroll or city wage taxes. Use your latest pay stub to see those percentages and add them as post-tax deductions inside the calculator. This is especially important if you work in a major metro area or a school district that levies its own earned income tax.

2026 planning tips for Kentucky employees

• Update your W-4 (and any Kentucky-specific withholding form) if you picked up a second job, got married, or expect significant itemized deductions in 2026.
• Leverage pre-tax benefits—every dollar you contribute to a 401(k) or HSA reduces both federal and Kentucky taxable income (unless you live in a no-tax state).
• Track your year-to-date taxable wages. Once you hit the Social Security wage base, your take-home pay will jump because OASDI withholding stops for the rest of the year.