Kentucky Sales Tax Calculator

Kentucky charges a 6% state sales tax rate. On top of that, local jurisdictions (counties, cities, special districts) add their own taxes, bringing the average combined rate to 6.00%. That means on a $1,000 purchase, you'd pay approximately $60.00 in sales tax for a total of $1060.00.

The Kentucky state rate of 6% applies uniformly across the state, and there are no local sales tax additions. This makes the calculation straightforward — the state rate is what you pay everywhere.

Good news: Kentucky exempts groceries, prescription drugs from state sales tax. However, clothing are still subject to sales tax in Kentucky. These exemptions can make a real difference in your annual spending, especially on groceries which are a recurring expense for every household.

Need to work backwards? If you have a total receipt and need to find the original price before tax, use the reverse sales tax formula: divide the total by (1 + tax rate). For example, a $1060.00 total with 6.00% tax means the original price was $1,000 ($1060.00 ÷ 1.600). This is useful for expense reports and bookkeeping.

Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, online retailers must collect Kentucky sales tax on purchases shipped to KY residents. Most online purchases now include Kentucky sales tax based on the buyer's location, including any applicable local taxes.