Pennsylvania
$307
~3.07% PIT state
- Total withheld
- $3,272
- Net bonus
- $6,728
- Federal + FICA
- $2,965
- Rank
- #37
Compare different states
2026
2026Pennsylvania vs Kentucky Bonus Tax
Kentucky withholds $43 more state tax than Pennsylvania on $10,000 bonus with $80,000 year-to-date wages (flat supplemental method).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Key finding
Kentucky withholds more state tax
$43 more state tax — net gap ~$43 ($6,728 vs $6,685).
Side-by-side bonus withholding scoreboard
Kentucky
$350
~3.5% PIT state
- Total withheld
- $3,315
- Net bonus
- $6,685
- Federal + FICA
- $2,965
- Rank
- #35
Total withholding gap: $43 (state drives most of the difference).
Key takeaways — Pennsylvania vs Kentucky bonus tax
- Kentucky withholds about $43 more state tax ($307 vs $350).
- Pennsylvania: ~3.07% PIT (Flat PIT proxy (no separate table)). Kentucky: ~3.5% PIT (Flat PIT proxy (no separate table)).
- Federal withholding is $2,200 in both states on this vignette (22% flat per IRS Pub. 15); FICA is $765 each.
- Pennsylvania ranks #37; Kentucky ranks #35 (#1 = highest state withholding).
- Model custom bonuses at /bonus-tax-calculator.
Rule contrast — Pennsylvania vs Kentucky
| Topic | Pennsylvania | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Withholding method | Flat PIT proxy (no separate table) | Flat PIT proxy (no separate table) |
| Supplemental rate | ~3.07% PIT | ~3.5% PIT |
| Vignette state tax | $307 | $350 |
| Vignette federal + FICA | $2,200 + $765 | $2,200 + $765 |
| Vignette total withheld | $3,272 | $3,315 |
| Vignette net | $6,728 | $6,685 |
| Rank (curated) | #37 | #35 |
State withholding and net at different bonus sizes
$80,000 YTD wages; engine flat supplemental method. State gap is state tax only; net columns include federal and FICA.
| Bonus | Pennsylvania state | Kentucky state | State gap | PA net | KY net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $153.50 | $175 | $21.50 | $3,364 | $3,342.50 |
| $10,000 | $307 | $350 | $43 | $6,728 | $6,685 |
| $25,000 | $767.50 | $875 | $107.50 | $16,820 | $16,712.50 |
| $50,000 | $1,535 | $1,750 | $215 | $33,640 | $33,425 |
How to read this page
Pennsylvania vs Kentucky bonus tax in 2026
This page compares state supplemental withholding for Pennsylvania (PA) and Kentucky (KY) on $10,000 bonus with $80,000 year-to-date wages (flat supplemental method), calculated from our engine (same engine as the bonus calculator).
Kentucky is higher by about $43 in state tax alone; net take-home favors Pennsylvania by about $43.
No separate supplemental table; educational estimate uses the state’s flat PIT ≈3.07%.
No separate supplemental table; educational estimate uses the state’s flat PIT ≈3.5%.
How each state’s rate works
Pennsylvania (Flat PIT proxy (no separate table)): about 3.07% → $307 on the vignette.
Kentucky (Flat PIT proxy (no separate table)): about 3.5% → $350 on the vignette.
Official state agencies for this pair only are linked in the sources section — not every state in the hub.
Federal and FICA are the same on this vignette
Both states withhold $2,200 federal income tax under the Pub. 15 flat method (22% on $10,000).
FICA is $765 in each (Social Security + Medicare on this YTD/bonus pair). The take-home gap is almost entirely state supplemental withholding.
Above $1M supplemental wages with one employer, federal withholding uses 37% on the excess — still the same rule in both states.
Same bonuses, different state tax
The ladder recomputes engine results at $5k–$50k bonuses with $80,000 YTD wages.
When both sides use flat (or flat-PIT proxy) rates, the dollar gap scales roughly with bonus size.
Signing-bonus negotiations should still include regular wage tax and cost of living — not supplemental withholding alone.
What this comparison excludes
Local city taxes (NYC, Philly wage tax, Ohio municipalities) are not included.
Aggregate-method stubs can differ from the flat-percentage estimates shown here.
Final Form 1040 liability depends on annual brackets, deductions, and credits — withholding is a prepayment.
Who this Pennsylvania vs Kentucky comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Candidates weighing Pennsylvania vs Kentucky offers with cash bonuses
- •Payroll comparing multi-state supplemental setup
- •Editors quantifying high-tax vs no-tax state gaps
Use official tools if…
- •Local city taxes (NYC, Philly, Ohio municipalities)
- •Aggregate-method stubs that differ from flat rates
- •Year-end true-up if federal 22% under-withholds
Pennsylvania vs Kentucky checklist
Before treating the withholding gap as a job or relocation decision.
- 1Confirm Pennsylvania and Kentucky supplemental rules with each revenue department.
- 2Ask which withholding method payroll uses (flat vs aggregate).
- 3Check the bonus ladder for your award size.
- 4Open /bonus-tax-by-state/pennsylvania and /bonus-tax-by-state/kentucky for full profiles.
- 5Run both scenarios in /bonus-tax-calculator.
Vignette net: $6,728 (PA) vs $6,685 (KY).
What the state gap means
Flat supplemental rates differ by state; federal 22% and FICA rules are the same. Withholding is not your final tax bill when you file.
Limits of this comparison
NYC/local taxes, aggregate-method withholding, and equity vest timing are not modeled. Use the bonus calculator for custom amounts and YTD wages.
Pennsylvania vs Kentucky bonus tax FAQs
Kentucky withholds about $43 more in state tax ($307 vs $350).
No on this vignette — both use the flat 22% federal supplemental method plus the same FICA rules. The gap is almost entirely state supplemental withholding.
Pennsylvania: ~3.07% PIT. Kentucky: ~3.5% PIT.
Pennsylvania, by about $43.
No. This comparison is state supplemental withholding plus federal and FICA only.
Not on this vignette. Both use 22% flat federal supplemental withholding ($2,200) plus the same FICA rules.
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Supplemental bonus withholding on a $10,000 bonus with $80,000 YTD wages.
Related bonus tax comparisons
Related tools
Bonus tax calculatorModel any bonus amount and YTD wagesRSU tax by stateSame supplemental rates on RSU vestsRSU tax calculatorSame supplemental withholding rules at vestOvertime pay by stateDaily OT rules that affect gross paySalary comparison by stateTake-home on regular wagesUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-home