US Home Sales Tax

Taxes when buying a house in Kentucky

Kentucky does not tax the buyer on a home purchase or on the mortgage. The transfer tax ($0.50 per $500 (0.1%)) is usually paid by the seller.

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Loan amount: $320,000. Some states tax the mortgage, so the loan size changes the result there. Paying cash? Enter 100.

Estimated taxes when you buyKentucky ยท Rates verified November 2026
Pay to the order ofState and county tax offices$0

Zero and 00/100 dollars

Kentucky does not tax the buyer on this purchase.

Taxes the buyer pays
Tax on the purchase$0
Total buyer taxes$0

Taxes only. Lender fees, title insurance, flat recording fees and prepaid property tax are separate closing costs.

What a Kentucky home buyer is taxed on

Buyer's taxes
None on the purchase or the mortgage.
Transfer tax
The seller. The statute puts the tax on the person granting the deed.
Sales tax
None. A home is real estate, and sales tax does not apply to it.
Official source
Henderson County Clerk (KRS 142.050)
Last verified

Kentucky buyer taxes at common prices

Purchase priceLoan with 20% downBuyer's taxes
$150,000$120,000$0
$250,000$200,000$0
$400,000$320,000$0
$600,000$480,000$0
$1,000,000$800,000$0

Questions Kentucky buyers ask

Do buyers pay transfer tax in Kentucky?

The seller. The statute puts the tax on the person granting the deed.

Is there a mortgage tax in Kentucky?

No. Kentucky does not tax the recording of a mortgage. The county charges only a flat fee to record it.

Is there sales tax when you buy a house in Kentucky?

No. Sales tax applies to goods and some services, and a house is real estate, which no state taxes that way.

How much tax does a buyer pay at closing in Kentucky?

Usually none. On a $400,000 home a Kentucky buyer owes no state or local tax on the purchase itself. Closing costs still include lender fees, title insurance and prepaid property tax.

Selling in Kentucky? Use the Kentucky transfer tax calculator.

Buyer taxes in other states