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Kentucky Statewide Rule

Kentucky Statewide 1% Transient Room Tax

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Kentucky (2026)

Key Facts

State Tax Rate
1% of gross rent
Statute
KRS 142.400
Threshold
Under 30 days
Facilitator Collection
Required since 2023
Collected By
Department of Revenue
Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Commonwealth of Kentucky

Summary

Kentucky imposes a statewide 1% transient room tax on all short-term lodging rentals under 30 days, including Airbnb, VRBO, hotels, campgrounds, and RV parks. Hosts and facilitators must collect and remit this tax universally across the state.

142.400 Statewide transient room tax - Rate - Exclusions from tax. (1) As used in this section: (a) "Person" has the same meaning as in KRS 91A.345; and (b) "Rent" has the same meaning as in KRS 91A.345. (2) A statewide transient room tax shall be imposed at a rate of one percent (1%) of the rent for every occupancy of any suite, room, rooms, cabins, lodgings, campsites, or other accommodations charged by any hotel, motel, inn, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks, or other place in which accommodations are regularly furnished to transients for a consideration or by any person that facilitates the rental of the accommodations by brokering, coordinating, or in any other way arranging for the rental of the accommodations for consideration.

Source: Commonwealth of KentuckyView official code

Full Breakdown

Under KRS 142.400, Kentucky imposes a 1% statewide transient room tax on the rent for every occupancy of accommodations rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The tax applies to hotels, motels, inns, tourist cabins, campgrounds, RV parks, and short-term rentals. Effective January 1, 2023, House Bill 8 requires accommodation facilitators (such as Airbnb and VRBO) to collect and remit the tax on the total charges. Hosts who rent exclusively through facilitators do not need to register, but hosts receiving direct payment must register with the Department of Revenue. This 1% tax is in addition to any local transient room tax.

Violations & Penalties

Failure to collect or remit the statewide transient tax may result in penalties, interest, and assessments by the Kentucky Department of Revenue under tax enforcement statutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Airbnb collect the Kentucky state transient tax automatically?
Yes. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the 1% statewide transient room tax for participating Kentucky hosts. Hosts using only these platforms do not need to register separately.
Does this replace local occupancy taxes?
No. The 1% state tax is in addition to any local transient room tax imposed by cities or counties. Both taxes typically apply to short-term rentals in Kentucky.
What if I rent for more than 30 days?
Stays of 30 or more consecutive days are excluded from the statewide transient room tax under KRS 142.400.

Sources

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