Sales tax United States · Rates as of 1 July 2026
Kentucky Sales Tax Rate (2026)
Kentucky sales tax is 6% statewide, with no local sales taxes on top. Use the calculator to add or remove tax from any price.
Kentucky sales tax calculator
Your exact rate depends on the city and county of the sale; enter it above if you know it.
How Kentucky sales tax works
Kentucky has a single 6% state rate and no local sales taxes.
To calculate it, multiply the price by the rate: tax = price × 6 ÷ 100. A $40 purchase at the average combined rate carries $2.40 tax, for $42.40 in total. To strip tax out of a receipt total, divide by 1.0600.
Kentucky sales tax on common amounts
| Price | Tax at 6% | Total at 6% |
|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.60 | $10.60 |
| $25.00 | $1.50 | $26.50 |
| $50.00 | $3.00 | $53.00 |
| $100.00 | $6.00 | $106.00 |
| $250.00 | $15.00 | $265.00 |
| $500.00 | $30.00 | $530.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $60.00 | $1,060.00 |
Kentucky vs neighbouring states
| State | State rate | Avg. combined | Tax on $100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 6% | 6% | $6.00 |
| Indiana | 7% | 7% | $7.00 |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 7.29% | $7.29 |
| West Virginia | 6% | 6.6% | $6.60 |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 5.77% | $5.77 |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.61% | $9.61 |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 8.44% | $8.44 |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 8.98% | $8.98 |
States with a similar sales tax to Kentucky
Comparing places to shop, work or move? These states have the closest average combined rate to Kentucky's 6%.
- District of Columbia sales tax (6%)
- Maryland sales tax (6%)
- Michigan sales tax (6%)
- Idaho sales tax (6.03%)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Kentucky?
The Kentucky state sales tax rate is 6%. There are no local sales taxes, so 6% applies statewide.
How much is the sales tax on $100 in Kentucky?
At the state rate, $6.00 (total $106.00).
How do I calculate Kentucky sales tax?
Multiply the price by the rate as a decimal. Example: $50 × 6% = $3.00. To remove tax from a total, divide by (1 + rate): $100 ÷ 1.0600 = $94.34 before tax.
Is Kentucky sales tax high?
Kentucky ranks #38 of 50 states for average combined sales tax (1 = highest). The population-weighted US average combined rate is about 7.5%.
Sources
- Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (rates as of 1 July 2026; local rates are population-weighted averages).
- State departments of revenue for statewide rates and exemptions.
Rates change. Always confirm the exact rate for a specific address with the relevant tax authority before filing or invoicing.