What is the sales tax rate in Louisville?

Louisville's sales tax is Kentucky's statewide 6% rate. Kentucky does not allow local or county sales taxes, so there is no additional city or Jefferson County add-on — the combined rate is simply 6%.

Does Louisville add a local sales tax?

No. Unlike many states, Kentucky prohibits local sales taxes entirely. Every city in Kentucky, including Louisville, charges the same flat 6% state rate with nothing added on top.

Are groceries taxed in Louisville?

Unprepared food and food ingredients are exempt from Kentucky sales tax, so groceries you cook at home are taxed at 0%. Prepared and restaurant food, candy, and soft drinks are taxable at the full 6%.

Are prescriptions taxed?

Prescription drugs and many medical devices are exempt from Kentucky sales tax. Over-the-counter medicines are generally taxable at the standard 6% rate unless prescribed.

Has Kentucky added sales tax to services?

Kentucky has expanded its 6% sales tax to cover certain services in recent years, such as some labor and recreational services. The rate is still 6%; only the list of taxable items has grown, so general merchandise remains the default here.

Louisville Combined Sales Tax Calculator

This calculator computes the sales tax on a Louisville purchase. Because Kentucky levies a single statewide 6% rate and bans local sales taxes, the Louisville combined rate is simply 6% with no city or county add-on.

How it works

For taxable goods the tool applies the flat state rate; exempt categories are taxed at zero:

tax   = amount × (rate / 100)        general goods → 6%
total = amount + tax

Kentucky exempts unprepared groceries and prescription drugs, so selecting one of those categories sets the rate to 0%. Everything else — general merchandise, prepared food, candy, and soft drinks — is taxed at the full 6%.

Example and notes

A 100.00 dollar general purchase owes 6.00 in tax for a 106.00 total. The same 100 spent on home groceries owes nothing, because Kentucky exempts unprepared food. Note that prepared meals and restaurant food do not qualify as exempt groceries and are taxed at 6%. Kentucky has gradually added some services to its taxable list, but the rate itself stays a flat 6% statewide, and Louisville never adds a local surcharge.