Kentucky Tax Calculator 2025
Calculate your Kentucky state income tax with our comprehensive 2025 calculator featuring the Bluegrass State's simple 5% flat tax rate, standard deductions, and advanced tax planning tools.
Calculate Your Kentucky Tax
Enter your income information to calculate Kentucky's straightforward 5% flat state income tax with applicable deductions and exemptions.
Kentucky Tax Structure 2025
Kentucky operates a simple flat income tax system with a competitive 5% rate on all income levels, making it straightforward for taxpayers to calculate their obligations. The Bluegrass State also provides generous retirement income exclusions and military benefits.
KY Flat Tax Rate
- Uniform 5% rate on all income levels
- No complex brackets or graduated rates
- Applies to wages, business income, and investment income
- Competitive rate in the southeastern region
Standard Deductions (2025)
- Single: $2,770
- Married Filing Jointly: $5,540
- Married Filing Separately: $2,770
- Head of Household: $4,160
Kentucky Tax Benefits and Exclusions
Kentucky provides significant tax benefits, particularly for retirees and military personnel, making it an attractive state for those seeking retirement-friendly tax policies and military-friendly benefits.
- Retirement Income Exclusion: Up to $41,110 of retirement income excluded annually
- Military Retirement Benefits: All military retirement pay is completely excluded
- Personal Exemptions: $2,770 per taxpayer and dependent
- Social Security Benefits: Not taxed by Kentucky
- Disability Income: Disability retirement benefits may be excluded
- Railroad Retirement: Railroad retirement benefits excluded
- Homestead Exemption: Property tax relief for qualified homeowners
Kentucky Residency and Tax Planning
Understanding Kentucky residency requirements and tax planning opportunities is essential for optimizing your tax situation, especially with the state's generous retirement benefits and simple flat rate structure.
Establishing KY Residency
Kentucky considers you a resident if your domicile is in Kentucky or you maintain a place of abode in Kentucky and spend more than 183 days in the state during the tax year.
Part-Year Residents
Part-year residents pay Kentucky tax only on income earned while a Kentucky resident, with specific allocation rules for business and investment income sources.
Non-Resident Taxation
Non-residents pay Kentucky tax only on income sourced to Kentucky, including wages earned in the state, Kentucky rental income, and business income from Kentucky operations.
Retirement Planning Advantages
Kentucky's generous retirement income exclusion of up to $41,110 annually, combined with the flat 5% rate, makes it very attractive for retirement planning and relocation consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kentucky's income tax rate for 2025?
Kentucky has a flat income tax rate of 5% for 2025, applying to all income levels. This makes Kentucky's tax system simple and predictable, with no complex brackets or graduated rates to navigate.
How much retirement income is excluded in Kentucky?
Kentucky excludes up to $41,110 of retirement income annually from state taxation. This generous exclusion includes pensions, 401(k) distributions, IRA withdrawals, and other qualifying retirement income sources.
Is military retirement pay taxed in Kentucky?
No, all military retirement pay is completely excluded from Kentucky state income tax. This makes Kentucky very attractive for military retirees seeking tax-friendly locations for their retirement years.
Does Kentucky tax Social Security benefits?
No, Kentucky does not tax Social Security benefits. Combined with the retirement income exclusion and military benefits, this makes Kentucky very retirement-friendly from a tax perspective.
How does Kentucky compare to neighboring states?
Kentucky's 5% flat rate is competitive with neighboring states. It's the same as Ohio's top rate but simpler, lower than West Virginia's top rates, and higher than Tennessee (no income tax) but with generous exclusions.
Are there any other tax benefits in Kentucky?
Yes, Kentucky offers personal exemptions, homestead property tax exemptions for qualified homeowners, and various credits. The state also doesn't tax railroad retirement benefits and provides disability income exclusions.