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Kentucky · Property taxKentucky property tax: the November 1 discount, the December 31 due date and the penalties

Kentucky property taxes are due and payable on or before December 31 of the assessment year, paid to the sheriff unless the law provides otherwise. A taxpayer who pays in full by November 1 gets a 2% discount; from November 2 through December 31 the amount on the bill is due without discount or penalty; payment in full between January 1 and January 31 of the next year carries a 5% penalty on the unpaid tax, and payment after January 31 a 10% penalty. If the regular schedule is delayed, the Department of Revenue may set an alternative schedule: taxes are then due two full months after the bills are mailed, with the 2% discount for the first month. The tax, fees, penalties and interest are a personal debt of the taxpayer on the assessment date, and the lien on property with delinquent taxes continues from delinquency until the taxes are paid or the 11-year period of KRS 134.420 runs out, regardless of who owns the property (KRS 134.015).

What the statute sets

  1. Discount (KRS 134.015(2)(a))

    2% off when paid in full by November 1 of the assessment year.

  2. Face amount (KRS 134.015(2)(b))

    November 2 through December 31: the bill amount, no discount or penalty.

  3. Penalties (KRS 134.015(2)(c)–(d))

    5% from January 1 to January 31; 10% after January 31.

  4. Lien (KRS 134.015(5))

    Continues on delinquent property until paid or for the 11-year period of KRS 134.420, whoever owns it.

What the TC does with Kentucky property tax at closing

  • Find out whether the current year's bill has been issued and whether it was paid.
  • For a fall closing, ask the title company whether the bill will be paid at the discount before November 1.
  • For a closing in January or later, add the 5% or 10% penalty to any unpaid bill.

Questions about Kentucky property tax

When are Kentucky property taxes due?

On or before December 31 of the assessment year; paying in full by November 1 earns a 2% discount (KRS 134.015(1)–(2)).

What is the penalty for paying Kentucky property tax late?

5% of the unpaid tax when paid in full between January 1 and January 31 of the next year, and 10% when paid after January 31 (KRS 134.015(2)(c)–(d)).

Related guides

Put the discount date and the tax payoff on the deal's closing tasks in ClosingCode.

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Source: KRS 134.015 (apps.legislature.ky.gov), read October 30, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.