Calculate 2026 sales tax for Kentucky using the combined 6.00% rate (state + average local).
Kentucky uses a combination of state and local taxes. The state-level rate is 6.00%. On top of this, most counties and cities in Kentucky levy their own taxes, which average out to 0.00% statewide. When you shop in Kentucky, you pay the combined rate at the point of sale.
If you are a business owner selling in Kentucky, you are responsible for collecting this 6.00% tax from your customers and remitting it to the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties and interest.
For informational purposes only. Tax rates change frequently — verify with your state's Department of Revenue before filing. This tool is not a substitute for professional tax advice.
· Rates verified quarterly from the Tax Foundation and state Departments of Revenue.
Select a state to see its detailed 2026 sales tax calculator and formula.
| State | State Rate | Avg. Local | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4.00% | 5.24% | 9.24% |
| Alaska | 0.00% | 1.76% | 1.76% |
| Arizona | 5.60% | 2.77% | 8.37% |
| Arkansas | 6.50% | 2.93% | 9.43% |
| California | 7.25% | 1.57% | 8.82% |
| Colorado | 2.90% | 4.82% | 7.72% |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 0.00% | 6.35% |
| Delaware | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Florida | 6.00% | 1.05% | 7.05% |
| Georgia | 4.00% | 3.37% | 7.37% |
| Hawaii | 4.00% | 0.44% | 4.44% |
| Idaho | 6.00% | 0.02% | 6.02% |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 2.49% | 8.74% |
| Indiana | 7.00% | 0.00% | 7.00% |
| Iowa | 6.00% | 0.94% | 6.94% |
| Kansas | 6.50% | 2.20% | 8.70% |
| Kentucky | 6.00% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Louisiana | 4.45% | 5.10% | 9.55% |
| Maine | 5.50% | 0.00% | 5.50% |
| Maryland | 6.00% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 0.00% | 6.25% |
| Michigan | 6.00% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Minnesota | 6.88% | 0.58% | 7.45% |
| Mississippi | 7.00% | 0.07% | 7.07% |
| Missouri | 4.22% | 4.10% | 8.33% |
| Montana | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Nebraska | 5.50% | 1.46% | 6.96% |
| Nevada | 6.85% | 1.38% | 8.23% |
| New Hampshire | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| New Jersey | 6.63% | 0.00% | 6.63% |
| New Mexico | 5.00% | 2.73% | 7.73% |
| New York | 4.00% | 4.52% | 8.52% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 2.22% | 6.97% |
| North Dakota | 5.00% | 1.85% | 6.85% |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 1.48% | 7.23% |
| Oklahoma | 4.50% | 4.47% | 8.97% |
| Oregon | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Pennsylvania | 6.00% | 0.34% | 6.34% |
| Rhode Island | 7.00% | 0.00% | 7.00% |
| South Carolina | 6.00% | 1.43% | 7.43% |
| South Dakota | 4.20% | 1.90% | 6.10% |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 2.55% | 9.55% |
| Texas | 6.25% | 1.95% | 8.20% |
| Utah | 4.85% | 2.21% | 7.06% |
| Vermont | 6.00% | 0.24% | 6.24% |
| Virginia | 4.30% | 1.33% | 5.63% |
| Washington | 6.50% | 2.72% | 9.22% |
| Washington D.C. | 6.00% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| West Virginia | 6.00% | 0.39% | 6.39% |
| Wisconsin | 5.00% | 0.44% | 5.44% |
| Wyoming | 4.00% | 1.36% | 5.36% |
Quick answers to the most common questions users ask.
Taxation of food varies significantly by jurisdiction in Kentucky. Generally, most states exempt unprepared grocery items (like produce and milk) but apply the full sales tax rate to "prepared" foods, candy, and soft drinks. We recommend consulting the Kentucky Department of Revenue for a list of specific food-based exemptions and "non-qualifying" food categories.
In line with modern multi-state tax compacts, Kentucky primarily utilizes a <strong>destination-based sourcing system</strong> for 2026. This means the sales tax rate is determined by the "ship-to" address where the buyer receives the product. For businesses, this requires tracking local rates across all jurisdictions within Kentucky to ensure compliance with varying city and county district taxes.
To calculate the tax amount manually, first convert the 6.00% rate into a decimal (0.0600). Multiply your pre-tax price by this decimal. For example, a $100.00 purchase in Kentucky would result in <strong>$6.00</strong> in sales tax. Finally, add this amount to your original price to find the total checkout value.
All rates, thresholds, and regulatory guidance cited on this page are sourced from official government publications and non-partisan research institutions.
IRS Sales Tax Calculator
The official Internal Revenue Service tool for determining deductible state and local sales tax for federal income tax purposes.
irs.govU.S. Census Bureau
Official government repository for quarterly state and local tax revenue statistics and government finance data.
census.govSupreme Court — Wayfair Decision
The official government opinion for South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., establishing modern economic nexus standards for remote sellers.
supremecourt.govSBA Business Tax Guide
Official Small Business Administration guidance on understanding federal and state tax obligations for small business owners.
sba.govStreamlined Sales Tax Board
The official inter-governmental organization facilitating the simplification of sales tax administration across 24 member states.
streamlinedsalestax.orgCalifornia CDTFA
Official CA tax rates portal, address-specific lookup tools, and district tax publications.
cdtfa.ca.govTexas Comptroller
The official Texas sales tax rate locator, local jurisdiction database, and nexus guidance.
comptroller.texas.govNew York Tax & Finance
Official NY jurisdiction lookup for combined state, local, and MTA rates, and clothing exemptions.
tax.ny.govFlorida Dept. of Revenue
Official FL resource for state sales tax rates, county surtaxes, and annual tax holidays.
floridarevenue.comMyTax Illinois
Official Illinois Department of Revenue portal for address-based tax rate lookups and filings.
tax.illinois.govPennsylvania Revenue
Official PA portal for sales, use, and hotel occupancy tax rates and regulatory guidance.
revenue.pa.govOhio 'The Finder'
Official Ohio Department of Taxation tool for looking up rates by address, ZIP, or GPS coordinates.
tax.ohio.govGeorgia Dept. of Revenue
Official Georgia sales and use tax rate charts and local jurisdiction tax distribution data.
dor.georgia.govNorth Carolina DOR
Official NCDOR portal for state, local, and transit tax rates by county and jurisdiction.
ncdor.govMichigan Treasury
Official Michigan Department of Treasury resources for the statewide 6% sales and use tax.
michigan.govTaxesLedger is an independent educational tool. We are not affiliated with any government agency. Rates are verified quarterly; always confirm with your jurisdiction's official Department of Revenue before filing. Last verification: May 15, 2026.
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