Calculate your property tax for KY. Enter your home value, apply exemptions, and see your estimated annual tax.
Kentucky's effective property tax rates are moderate-to-low, commonly 0.7% to 1.0% of market value. Property is assessed at 100% of fair market value by the state's Property Valuation Administrator (PVA), but the state's general fund rate is capped and a homestead exemption plus a disabled veterans' exemption provide relief. Kentucky also taxes inventory lightly and offers a circuit breaker. A key structural feature is the state's limitation on annual growth in its aggregate property-tax revenue to about 4%, which keeps the state portion of the bill from rising quickly even as values climb. Most of what a homeowner actually pays, however, is local — county, city, school, and special-district levies set each year. This guide explains the calculation and relief; the calculator below estimates your bill.
Kentucky values real property at 100% of fair market value; your tax is the assessed value times the combined rate (dollars per $100) of the state, county, city, school, and special districts. The state's general fund rate is set by law and historically low, and the local rates are what vary. Because assessments are at full value, the rate you see is close to the effective rate on market value.
Kentucky's Homestead Exemption excludes the first portion of a primary residence's assessed value for owners 65+ (and totally disabled persons) with household income under a limit; the exempt amount is set by the state (commonly the first roughly $40,500 of value, adjusted for inflation). It is claimed with the PVA and reduces the taxable base for qualifying older and disabled owners.
Kentucky grants a disabled veterans' exemption that removes a set amount of assessed value for veterans with a service-connected disability (a larger exemption for higher disability ratings, with a full exemption for 100% disability), and exemptions for surviving spouses. Because Kentucky assesses at 100%, this exemption directly removes market value from the base — meaningful for eligible owners.
Kentucky offers a circuit-breaker (the 'Property Tax Assistance' style relief) for lower-income elderly/disabled homeowners, and a coal-excise and other credits in some areas. There is also a surviving-spouse exemption. These are claimed with the PVA or on the state return. The combination helps lower-income seniors keep their homes.
Kentucky caps the state general fund property-tax rate and limits the annual growth in the state's total property-tax revenue to about 4% without legislative action, which restrains the state portion. Local governments, though, set their own rates within statutory ceilings, so a rising local levy can still increase your bill even when the state share is flat. There is no Prop 13-style assessment-value cap, and assessments are kept at 100% of market value, so the rate you see is close to the effective rate on market value.
The figures below draw on our county datasets where available; rates differ by jurisdiction, so use your specific locality's rate in the calculator.
Estimates apply each county's effective rate to a $200,000 market value for comparison only; your actual bill depends on your own assessed value, exemptions, and local levies.
Kentucky bills are commonly paid annually or in two installments by the county sheriff or collector on the combined state/county/city/school rate (dollars per $100), with penalty on late payment and a possible tax sale after sustained delinquency. The homestead exemption is claimed with the PVA; the circuit-breaker with the PVA or on the state return. Because assessments are at 100% of market, the rate you see is close to the effective rate.
To lower your Kentucky bill: (1) claim the Homestead Exemption (about $40,500 of assessed value removed for 65+/disabled with income under the limit) with the PVA; (2) file the circuit-breaker / property-tax-assistance relief if income qualifies; (3) claim the disabled-veterans' exemption (full for 100% disability); (4) grieve by about May 15 using comparable sales; (5) watch county and school-rate votes. The homestead exemption is the main relief for older and disabled owners.
In practice, a Kentucky bill is the 100%-assessed value times the combined state/county/city/school rate, minus the homestead exemption (for 65+/disabled) and the disabled veterans' exemption. The state general-fund rate is capped by law, so the local rates drive most of the variation. The PVA values at 100% of market. Read the notice (commonly by May 15) and grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower.
If you are buying in Kentucky, the PVA values at 100% of market — so compare the combined rate, not just the price. Ask about the homestead exemption (65+/disabled) and the disabled veterans' exemption; reapply after purchase. Grieve by about May 15 if the market value looks high relative to comparable sales. Because the state rate is capped, local rates are the variable; check the county, city, and school rates separately.
To appeal in Kentucky, file by about May 15 via the PVA. (1) Compare the 100%-assessed value to recent sales. (2) File with the local board of assessment appeals. (3) Appeal to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals if needed. (4) Confirm the homestead and disabled veterans' exemptions. Because assessment is at 100%, the standard is clear market value.
Kentucky's reform debate often centers on the state rate cap and the homestead / disabled veterans' exemptions, plus periodic proposals to reduce the reliance on property tax for schools. The PVA modernization is also a topic. Because assessment is at 100%, the rate and exemptions are the main levers. Watch the General Assembly for exemption or rate-cap changes.
PVA — the Property Valuation Administrator who values at 100%. Homestead exemption — for 65+/disabled, a set amount of value. Disabled veterans' exemption — a set-dollar removal. State rate cap — the capped general-fund rate. Board of tax appeals — the state appeal body (May 15).
Two $200,000 homes. Homeowner A at a 0.9% effective rate owes about $1,800. Homeowner B, a 65-year-old, claims the homestead exemption (removing the first ~$40,500 of value) and the disabled veterans' exemption if eligible, potentially cutting the net toward $1,200–$1,500. The example shows the 100% assessment with the exemption is the key.
Kentucky homeowners with a mortgage pay via escrow; the lender remits the state/county/city/school installments. The PVA values at 100%, so the escrow tracks the rate directly. If you claim the homestead exemption or disabled veterans' exemption, tell the lender. Buyers should obtain the assessment notice; because the state rate is capped, compare local rates to size the escrow.
How is Kentucky property assessed? At 100% of fair market value by the county Property Valuation Administrator (PVA); the rate is applied to that value.
What is Kentucky's homestead exemption? For owners 65+ or totally disabled with income under a limit, it excludes the first roughly $40,500 of a primary residence's assessed value (adjusted for inflation); claim with the PVA.
What disabled-veteran relief exists in Kentucky? An exemption removing a set amount of value for service-connected disability (full for 100%), plus surviving-spouse exemptions.
Is the state property-tax rate capped in Kentucky? Yes, the state general fund rate is capped by law; local rates are set within statutory limits.
How do I appeal my Kentucky assessment? File with the local board of assessment appeals via the PVA by about May 15, then to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals.
Enter your home value, select your state, and see your estimated annual property tax.