Tax & accounting services in Kentucky
BATS helps individuals and businesses across Kentucky with tax preparation, tax planning, IRS problems, bookkeeping and payroll, with advisors who know Kentucky rules.
What to know about taxes in Kentucky
Kentucky taxes personal income, and state returns are filed with the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Planning has to account for both federal and Kentucky rules. Many Kentucky cities and counties charge occupational license taxes on wages and business profits.
Whether you are filing a personal return, running a growing company or answering a letter from the IRS or the state, we pair you with an advisor who works through Kentucky returns every season.
Kentucky at a glance
- State tax agency
- Kentucky Department of Revenue
- Income tax on wages
- Yes
- Local income taxes
- Yes, in some cities or counties
- Cities with pages
- 4
Rates and thresholds change every year. Ask your advisor for the figures that apply to you.
Major cities we serve in Kentucky
Louisville
Tax preparation, planning and accounting for Louisville, KY.
View LouisvilleLexington
Tax preparation, planning and accounting for Lexington, KY.
View LexingtonBowling Green
Tax preparation, planning and accounting for Bowling Green, KY.
View Bowling GreenOwensboro
Tax preparation, planning and accounting for Owensboro, KY.
View OwensboroEvery BATS service is available in Kentucky
Tax Preparation & Filing
Accurate federal, state and local returns for individuals, businesses, trusts and nonprofits.
Individual Tax Preparation
Federal and state Form 1040 preparation for W-2 earners, families and investors, filed electronically and reviewed line by line.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingBusiness Tax Preparation
Partnership, S corporation and C corporation tax returns prepared accurately and on time, with K-1s delivered to owners.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingSelf-Employed & Freelancer Tax
Schedule C returns, self-employment tax planning and quarterly estimates for freelancers, contractors and gig workers.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingMulti-State Tax Filing
Part-year, nonresident and multi-state business returns for people who moved, commute across state lines or work remotely.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingExpat & International Tax
U.S. tax returns for Americans abroad and foreign nationals in the U.S., including FBAR, FATCA and foreign income exclusions.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingEstate & Trust Tax
Form 1041 fiduciary returns, final personal returns and estate tax filings for executors, trustees and families.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingNonprofit Tax Filing
Form 990 series returns, tax-exemption applications and compliance support for charities, foundations and associations.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingAmended Tax Returns
Correct past returns with Form 1040-X or business amendments to claim missed refunds or fix errors before the IRS does.
Learn moreTax Planning & Strategy
Year-round planning that lowers what you owe before the return is ever filed.
Tax Planning & Strategy
Proactive, year-round tax planning that lowers your bill through timing, structure, retirement contributions and credits.
Learn moreTax Planning & StrategyBusiness Formation & Entity Selection
Choose the right structure (sole proprietor, LLC, S corporation or C corporation) and set it up correctly from day one.
Learn moreTax Planning & StrategyS Corporation Tax Strategy
S corp elections, reasonable salary analysis, payroll setup and annual 1120-S compliance that turn the election into real savings.
Learn moreTax Planning & StrategyReal Estate Investor Tax
Rental property, short-term rental, 1031 exchange, depreciation and cost segregation tax strategy for real estate investors.
Learn moreTax Planning & StrategyCryptocurrency & Digital Asset Tax
Crypto gains, staking, mining, DeFi and NFT tax reporting, reconciled across wallets and exchanges.
Learn moreTax Planning & StrategyQuarterly Estimated Taxes
Accurate quarterly estimated tax calculations and payment reminders that keep you clear of underpayment penalties.
Learn moreIRS Representation & Resolution
Audits, notices, back taxes and tax debt handled by people who deal with the IRS every week.
IRS Audit Representation
Representation before the IRS and state tax agencies during correspondence, office and field audits.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionBack Taxes & Unfiled Returns
Catch up on years of unfiled federal and state returns, reduce penalties and get back into good standing.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionIRS Payment Plans & Tax Debt Relief
Installment agreements, Offers in Compromise, currently-not-collectible status and lien or levy release.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionIRS Notices & Letters
Fast, accurate responses to IRS and state tax notices such as CP2000, CP14 and identity verification letters.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionIRS Penalty Abatement
Requests to remove failure-to-file, failure-to-pay and other IRS penalties through first-time abatement or reasonable cause.
Learn moreAccounting & Bookkeeping
Clean books, reliable payroll and financial reporting that keep your business ready for tax season.
Bookkeeping Services
Monthly bookkeeping, bank reconciliations and financial reports so your numbers are always current and tax-ready.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingPayroll Services
Full-service payroll with direct deposit, federal and state payroll tax filings, W-2s and new-hire reporting.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingQuickBooks Setup & Cleanup
QuickBooks Online setup, chart of accounts design, cleanup of messy books and training for you and your team.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingFinancial Statements & Reporting
Compiled financial statements and management reports for lenders, investors, boards and owners.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingFractional CFO & Advisory
Part-time CFO support: cash flow forecasting, budgeting, pricing, KPIs and growth planning without a full-time hire.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingSales Tax Compliance
Sales tax nexus studies, state registrations, return filing and voluntary disclosure for sellers in multiple states.
Learn moreAccounting & Bookkeeping1099 & W-2 Filing
Year-end 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC and W-2 preparation and e-filing, with W-9 collection and TIN matching.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingE-Commerce Accounting
Accounting for Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers: payout reconciliation, inventory, COGS and marketplace sales tax.
Learn moreOutsourcing Services
Extra capacity for CPA firms, tax practices and growing businesses: tax preparation, bookkeeping, AP/AR and dedicated accounting staff.
Outsourced Tax Preparation for CPA Firms
White-label preparation of 1040, 1065, 1120-S and 1120 returns inside your own tax software, ready for your review and signature.
Learn moreOutsourcing ServicesWhite-Label Bookkeeping for Firms
Monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations and close delivered under your firm's brand, so you can serve more clients without adding headcount.
Learn moreOutsourcing ServicesDedicated Remote Accounting Staff
A dedicated tax preparer, staff accountant or bookkeeper who works as part of your team, on your systems and your schedule.
Learn moreOutsourcing ServicesAccounts Payable & Receivable Outsourcing
Bill processing, vendor payments, invoicing, collections follow-up and cash application, handled on schedule with clear approval controls.
Learn moreOutsourcing ServicesOutsourced Accounting Department
A complete finance back office: bookkeeping, AP/AR, payroll coordination, monthly close and reporting, run by one team for a fixed monthly fee.
Learn moreKentucky tax FAQs
11 answers about taxes in Kentucky.
Do you prepare Kentucky state tax returns?
Yes. We prepare resident, part-year and nonresident Kentucky returns and file them with the Kentucky Department of Revenue, together with your federal return.
When are Kentucky individual returns due?
Many states follow the federal April 15 deadline, but some set their own dates. We track the Kentucky Department of Revenue deadlines for you and file extensions when they are needed.
Are there local income taxes in Kentucky?
Yes, some local governments in Kentucky levy income, wage or earnings taxes that depend on where you live and work. We check which apply to you and include them in your filings.
Does Kentucky have a sales tax?
Yes. Kentucky charges sales tax, and local rates can add to the state rate. We help Kentucky businesses register, collect the right rate and file returns with the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
What payroll registrations does a Kentucky employer need?
Employers generally register with Kentucky for unemployment insurance and state income tax withholding, plus any other state payroll programs that apply. We handle the registrations and the ongoing filings.
Do I need to make Kentucky estimated tax payments?
If you have income without enough withholding, such as self-employment or investment income, Kentucky generally expects estimated payments during the year, with its own thresholds and due dates. We calculate federal and state payments together.
How are LLCs and corporations taxed in Kentucky?
Kentucky applies its own rules to LLCs, S corporations and C corporations, and in some cases charges franchise, gross receipts or minimum taxes regardless of profit. We review how your entity is treated in Kentucky before you form it or make an election.
I moved into or out of Kentucky. What do I file?
Usually a part-year return for each state you lived in during the year, with credits so the same income is not taxed twice. Our multi-state filing service handles this.
Can you represent me with the Kentucky Department of Revenue?
Yes. In addition to IRS matters, we respond to notices and audits from the Kentucky Department of Revenue when you authorize us to.
Can a Kentucky business work with BATS remotely?
Yes. We work with Kentucky businesses through video meetings, secure document upload and cloud accounting software, so there is no need to visit an office.
Which Kentucky cities do you serve?
We have dedicated pages for Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, and we work with clients anywhere in Kentucky.
We serve every state
- Alabama
- Alaska
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- Delaware
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- Illinois
- Indiana
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- Maryland
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- Ohio
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- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
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- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
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Tax help for Kentucky
Book a consultation and get a clear plan for your taxes and books, wherever you are in the U.S.