Sheet KY · 2026 rules
Kentucky Property Tax Calculator
Kentucky’s homestead program is for qualifying owners age 65 or older or with qualifying disability, subject to the agency’s conditions. The DOR example uses an exemption of $49,100 for the 2025–2026 period, reducing a $200,000 assessment to $150,900.
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Estimate your 2026 Kentucky bill
- Tax — State real property tax —
- Tax — Local ad valorem levies (excluding the state rate) —
- Credits subtracted —
- Fixed charges added —
Different allowances for different levies need separately approved taxable bases in the prepared levy worksheet. The extra exemption above subtracts the same assessed-dollar amount from every modeled levy.
How Kentucky turns value into a tax bill
| Step | Kentucky rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Use the valuation for the assessment year shown on your notice. Exemptions, rate units and levy classifications below must match that same notice. | [1] |
| Assessment | 100% of assessor’s residential full value | [1] |
| Annual limit | No automatic parcel bill cap is inferred from a limit on a jurisdiction’s total levy. | |
| Exemption | 2025–2026 homestead exemption: $49,100 off assessed value; all levies.Select only if approved for this assessment year; do not deduct an amount already included in the value you enter. | [1] |
| Rate | State real property tax: $0.1030 per $100 everywhere in Kentucky.Kentucky’s 2026 state real property rate, 10.30 cents per $100 of assessed value, which appears on every real property bill. | [2][3] |
| Rate | Local ad valorem levies (excluding the state rate): local rate — you enter it.County, city, school and special-district levies from your rate sheet, without the state rate above. The rate is not a Census ratio. |
How Kentucky assesses, exempts, hears appeals and collects property tax
Kentucky's assessment date for real property is January 1 of each year5. The county property valuation administrator (PVA) can revalue property every year and must physically inspect every parcel at least once every four years6. Farmland may be assessed at agricultural value instead of fair cash value7.
The tax roll inspection period starts on the first Monday in May and ends on the third Monday in May7. To appeal, you must first hold a conference with the PVA or a deputy during that period7. If you don't reach agreement, file the appeal at the county clerk's office no later than one workday after the inspection period closes7. The local board of assessment appeals convenes 25 to 35 calendar days after the period closes7. Its decision can be appealed to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals7. If bills go out before the appeal ends and the final value is above your claimed value, you will get a supplemental bill5.
The homestead exemption is for owners 65 or older or classified as totally disabled. For the 2025-2026 assessment years it is $49,100 of assessed value1. DOR recalculates the amount every two years for inflation4. Apply to the PVA by December 31 of the tax year4. Only one exemption is allowed per household6. Disability claims require disability payments for the entire assessment period and an annual reapplication, with stated exceptions1.
The 2026 state real property rate is 10.30 cents per $100, down from 10.60 cents in 20253. It is set annually by July 1 and applies to every real property bill in Kentucky2. Every county also has a general county rate set by the fiscal court and a school district rate set by the local school board2. Under House Bill 44, a district can adopt a compensating rate or a rate yielding up to 4% more revenue. A rate yielding more than 4% more requires a public hearing and can be petitioned to a recall vote2.
The sheriff collects the bills. If bills are mailed by October 1, paying by November 1 earns a 2% discount, and the face amount is due November 2 to December 31. A 5% penalty applies in January, and 21% from February 18. If collections start after November 1, each stage lasts 30 days8. After April 15, unpaid bills move to the county clerk8. They then accrue 1% interest per month plus a 10% county clerk fee and a 20% county attorney fee7.
Using the agency’s illustrative $150,900 taxable assessment, the 2026 state rate of 10.30 cents per $100 adds $155.43, and a hypothetical $1 per $100 of local levies adds $1,509, for $1,664.43 annually. Without the approved value exemption, $200,000 at those same rates would produce $2,206. This comparison assumes qualification solely for the example.23
Worked example
Approved 2025–2026 exemption: $200,000−$49,100=$150,900. State 10.30 cents per $100=$155.43; illustrative local $1 per $100=$1,509.00; total $1,664.43. Without approval the same home produces $2,206.00.
| Line | Taxable value | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| State real property tax at $0.1030 per $100 | $150,900.00 | $155.43 |
| Local ad valorem levies (excluding the state rate) at $1.00 per $100 | $150,900.00 | $1,509.00 |
| Annual total | $1,664.43 |
Left to your local bill
- 2% discount for paying by November 1 (when bills are mailed by October 1), and the 5% January and 21% post-February-1 penalties. Under an alternative schedule each stage lasts 30 days.
- Delinquency after April 15: the bill becomes a certificate of delinquency at the county clerk, with 1% monthly interest, a 10% clerk fee and a 20% county attorney fee.
- The homestead/disability exemption amount after 2026. DOR resets it every two years, and the $49,100 figure covers only the 2025-2026 assessment years.
- County, school and special-district rates (library, fire, extension, soil conservation) from the fiscal court, school board and district bodies, as printed on the sheriff's bill.
- Agricultural-value assessment of farmland instead of fair cash value.
- A supplemental bill when an appeal ends above the owner's claimed value.
Census context, not a rate
American Community Survey 2020–2024: median owner-occupied value $205,600 (±$1,096), median real-estate taxes $1,544 (±$10). Dividing one by the other gives 0.75% for Kentucky. Tables B25077 and B25103; why it is only context.
Sources
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: Homestead Exemption, read .
“The value of the homestead exemption for the 2025-2026 assessment years is $49,100. … The homeowner must have been receiving payments pursuant to his or her disability for the entire assessment period. The homeowner must apply annually to continue to receive the exemption based upon a total disability, unless:”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: Property Tax Rates, read .
“This rate is set annually by July 1, and it applies to all real property tax bills throughout Kentucky. … All counties have a general county rate set by the fiscal court and a school district tax rate set by the local school board.”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: Interest and Tax Rate Table, 1989 through 2026, read .
“2026 7% 10.30 45.00 23.01 76.70 61.79% 2025 8% 10.60 45.00 23.28 75.35 60.00%”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR news release: DOR Sets 2025-2026 Homestead Exemption, read .
“The Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR) has set the maximum homestead exemption at $49,100 for the 2025 and 2026 tax periods. By statute, the amount of the homestead exemption is recalculated every two years to adjust for inflation. … This application must be completed and submitted to the property owner’s local Property Valuation Administrator’s (PVA) office no later than December 31 of the eligible tax year.”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: The Property Tax Calendar, read .
“The assessment date for both real and personal property is January 1 of each year. … then you will receive a supplemental property tax bill based on the difference between your opinion of value and the value set through the appeals process.”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: The Assessment Process for Real Property, read .
“All real property is subject to being revalued every year and all real property parcels must be physically inspected by the PVA office no less than once every four years. … However, only one exemption is allowed per household, even if both spouses meet the age requirement.”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: Residential, Farm & Commercial Property, tax roll inspection period, read .
“The tax roll inspection period is scheduled to begin on the first Monday in May and runs Monday through Saturday for two weeks and concludes on the third Monday in May. … During the tax roll inspection period, the property owner must first schedule a conference with the PVA or a designated deputy to discuss the new assessment.”
- revenue.ky.govKentucky DOR: The Collection Process for Property Tax Bills, read .
“In January, a 5% penalty is added to the total amount due and beginning February 1 the penalty increases to 21% of the tax due. … If collections do not start until after November 1st, then an alternative collection schedule is implemented and property owners have 30 days to pay during each stage of the collection cycle.”
Bordering jurisdictions
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