Kentucky Paycheck Calculator
See take-home pay after federal and Kentucky withholding and FICA on the 2026 tax tables, and what the paycheck costs you in payroll taxes. Free, no sign-up.
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A Kentucky paycheck, worked out
$60,000 a year, paid biweekly, single, no other W-4 entries.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 |
| Federal income tax | −$193.08 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$143.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$33.46 |
| Kentucky income tax | −$76.25 |
| Take-home pay | $1,861.82 |
| Employer taxes on top | $252.70 |
Kentucky 3.5% after the $3,360 standard deduction (2026 formula).
Payroll taxes in Kentucky
| Tax | Who pays | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | Employee | From the W-4 and IRS Pub 15-T |
| Social Security | Both | 6.2% each, up to $184,500 of wages |
| Medicare | Both | 1.45% each; the employee pays 0.9% more over $200,000 |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | Employer | 0.6% of the first $7,000 |
| Kentucky unemployment | Employer | 2.70% for new employers, on the first $12,000.00 |
| Kentucky income tax | Employee | The state's 2026 withholding formula |
Sources: IRS Pub 15 and 15-T (2026), US DOL state unemployment provisions (January 2026), the state's withholding instructions.
Kentucky cities and counties levy an occupational license tax on wages; Lexington-Fayette's is 2.25%. The calculator leaves them out.
Kentucky pay rules to know
| Rule | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Federal ($7.25) |
| How often to pay | Twice a month. At least semimonthly (KRS 337.020). |
| Final paycheck | Next payday or 14 days. Whichever is later, quit or fired. |
| New hire reporting | Within 20 days, to Kentucky Office of the Attorney General (child support enforcement) |
From the state facts of our compliance guides.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Kentucky 3.5% after the $3,360 standard deduction (2026 formula). The calculator withholds it with the federal taxes.
Paid biweekly to a single filer with no other W-4 entries, a $2,307.69 check has $193.08 of federal income tax, $143.08 of Social Security, $33.46 of Medicare and $76.25 of Kentucky income tax. Take-home pay is $1,861.82.
Yes. Next to the take-home pay it shows the employer's payroll taxes in Kentucky: the Social Security and Medicare match, federal unemployment, and Kentucky unemployment tax at the new employer rate or the rate the state gave you. Use it as the Kentucky payroll calculator for one check or the whole year.
2.70% on the first $12,000.00 of each employee's wages in 2026, until the state assigns your own rate.
Kentucky cities and counties levy an occupational license tax on wages; Lexington-Fayette's is 2.25%. The calculator leaves them out.
A federal Form W-4 and the state form: Form K-4 (42A804, Kentucky Withholding Certificate), only when the employee claims an exemption or extra withholding. Report the hire to the state within 20 days.
Related calculators
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