Navigating Sales Tax in Kentucky

This guide provides an overview of Sales Tax in Kentucky, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Kentucky.

Last Updated: May 2025
Group 427320837 e1763784339445

17

new service categories, including event planning and photography, were added to the sales tax in 2023

Kentucky at a glance.

State

Kentucky

Tax Rate Range

6%

Economic Nexus Threshold

$100,000 in sales or 200 transactions

Filling Deadlines

20th of the month following the reporting period.

Is SaaS Taxable?

Yes

Base Tax Rate:

6%

When should your
business collect Sales
Tax in Kentucky?

A business must collect Kentucky sales tax once it establishes either physical or economic nexus. After meeting either threshold, registration must occur by the first day of the month following 30 days after crossing the threshold, and sellers must begin collecting tax on taxable transactions immediately thereafter.

Kentucky physical sales tax nexus.

A business has physical nexus in Kentucky when it has any in-state presence or activities tied to the sale of taxable goods or services.

Sales tax physical nexus checklist for Kentucky

The following conditions might establish a physical nexus in Kentucky:

Which services are taxable in Kentucky?

Kentucky taxes certain services, including SaaS, digital property, and delivery-related services tied to taxable goods.

Kentucky sales tax information:

Kentucky uses a destination-based sourcing method, applying the 6% state rate (with no local add-ons) to the sales price, including shipping and handling when the underlying item is taxable.

Kentucky taxes tangible personal property, digital goods, SaaS, and delivery charges associated with taxable goods, applying the tax to gross receipts from retail sales.

Register online through the Kentucky Business One Stop Portal by creating an account, completing the sales tax registration application, and providing business details; approval typically takes 2–3 weeks, and no registration fee is required.

Once registered, a business must collect the 6% statewide rate on all taxable transactions, include shipping and handling when taxable, issue invoices showing tax collected, and remit tax through the MyTaxes portal via electronic filing.

Sales Tax return due dates explained.

Kentucky assigns filing frequency based on the taxpayer’s annual sales volume, with the Department adjusting frequencies each June. Regardless of frequency, returns are due on the 20th day of the month following the reporting period, and all filings must be submitted electronically. Taxpayers with an average monthly liability over $50,000 must remit prepayments mid-month, and vendors may claim tiered discounts up to $50 per return.

FAQs

Yes. Marketplace facilitators must collect and remit sales tax on behalf of third-party sellers when facilitating taxable transactions.

Yes. Shipping, handling, and delivery charges are taxable when they relate to a taxable sale, even if listed separately.

No. Kentucky does not offer any sales tax holidays.

Related content.

Navigating Sales Tax in Kentucky

This guide provides an overview of Sales Tax in Kentucky, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Kentucky.

Last Updated: May 2025
Group 427320837 e1763784339445

17

new service categories, including event planning and photography, were added to the sales tax in 2023

Kentucky at a glance.

State

Kentucky

Tax Rate Range

6%

Economic Nexus Threshold

$100,000 in sales or 200 transactions

Filling Deadlines

20th of the month following the reporting period.

Is SaaS Taxable?

Yes

Base Tax Rate:

6%

When should your
business collect Sales
Tax in Kentucky?

A business must collect Kentucky sales tax once it establishes either physical or economic nexus. After meeting either threshold, registration must occur by the first day of the month following 30 days after crossing the threshold, and sellers must begin collecting tax on taxable transactions immediately thereafter.

Kentucky physical sales tax nexus.

A business has physical nexus in Kentucky when it has any in-state presence or activities tied to the sale of taxable goods or services.

Sales tax physical nexus checklist for Kentucky

The following conditions might establish a physical nexus in Kentucky:

Which services are taxable in Kentucky?

Kentucky taxes certain services, including SaaS, digital property, and delivery-related services tied to taxable goods.

Kentucky sales tax information:

Kentucky uses a destination-based sourcing method, applying the 6% state rate (with no local add-ons) to the sales price, including shipping and handling when the underlying item is taxable.

Kentucky taxes tangible personal property, digital goods, SaaS, and delivery charges associated with taxable goods, applying the tax to gross receipts from retail sales.

Register online through the Kentucky Business One Stop Portal by creating an account, completing the sales tax registration application, and providing business details; approval typically takes 2–3 weeks, and no registration fee is required.

Once registered, a business must collect the 6% statewide rate on all taxable transactions, include shipping and handling when taxable, issue invoices showing tax collected, and remit tax through the MyTaxes portal via electronic filing.

Sales Tax return due dates explained.

Kentucky assigns filing frequency based on the taxpayer’s annual sales volume, with the Department adjusting frequencies each June. Regardless of frequency, returns are due on the 20th day of the month following the reporting period, and all filings must be submitted electronically. Taxpayers with an average monthly liability over $50,000 must remit prepayments mid-month, and vendors may claim tiered discounts up to $50 per return.

FAQs

Yes. Marketplace facilitators must collect and remit sales tax on behalf of third-party sellers when facilitating taxable transactions.

Yes. Shipping, handling, and delivery charges are taxable when they relate to a taxable sale, even if listed separately.

No. Kentucky does not offer any sales tax holidays.

Related content.

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