Can employers use this instead of payroll software?
No. It is useful for planning and checking reasonableness, but final payroll should follow official forms, payroll software, and professional guidance.
Employer payroll withholding estimate
Kentucky Employer Payroll Calculator
Estimate employee paycheck withholding for Kentucky payroll, including federal income tax, Kentucky withholding, FICA, and local occupational tax.
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Build your paycheck
Kentucky · 2026 tax year · salaried or hourly
How much and how often you’re paid.
How are you paid?
Gross pay method
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Use flat 22% federal supplemental rate?
The IRS allows employers to withhold federal income tax from bonuses / supplemental wages at a flat 22% rate.
Required for accurate Social Security and Medicare surtax estimates mid-year.
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Updates as you type
Key points
Kentucky requires employer withholding for resident and nonresident employees unless an exemption applies.
Kentucky employer withholding is separate from local occupational tax filing obligations.
The calculator estimates employee withholding, not full employer payroll costs such as FUTA or workers' compensation.
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What to check
1Enter the employee's gross pay and pay date.
2Add federal W-4, Kentucky withholding, local tax, and benefit deductions.
3Use the breakdown as an estimate before confirming final payroll in your payroll system.
Common questions
Does this include employer-side payroll taxes?
The page focuses on employee paycheck withholding. Employer-side taxes and filings can add separate costs and deadlines.