What is the sales tax rate in Covington?
The combined sales tax rate in Covington, Kentucky is 6% as of 2026. It is made up of the Kentucky statewide base rate of 6%, plus applicable Kenton County and local district taxes. Covington sits within Kenton County, and the rate can vary slightly across ZIP codes because of special district additions (see the ZIP breakdown below).
Sales tax in Kentucky is administered by the Kentucky Department of Revenue, which collects and distributes tax on behalf of the state and its local jurisdictions. The rate applies to most retail sales of tangible personal property delivered within Covington.
Who needs to collect sales tax in Covington, Kentucky?
Any business with sales tax nexus in Kentucky must register, collect, and remit sales tax on taxable sales delivered to Covington. Nexus is established through:
- Physical presence: an office, store, warehouse, employee, or inventory located in Kentucky.
- Economic nexus: exceeding $100,000 in sales to Kentucky customers in the current or prior year.
- Marketplace facilitators: platforms such as Amazon or Etsy collect and remit on behalf of their third-party sellers.
Out-of-state (remote) sellers that cross Kentucky's economic nexus threshold must register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue before continuing to sell into the state.
How do you register for a sales tax permit in Covington?
To collect sales tax in Covington, you must register for a sales tax permit with the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Registration is generally free. You will typically need your EIN or SSN, business entity details, bank account information, and an estimate of your monthly Kentucky sales. Most permits are issued within a few business days of an online application.
How do you charge the right sales tax in Covington?
Sales tax in Covington is charged based on the delivery address. For orders shipped to a Covington address, the combined rate of 6% generally applies; for in-store sales, the rate is based on the store's location. Because some ZIP codes within Kenton County carry additional special-district taxes, always confirm the exact rate for the specific delivery ZIP code. The tables below show the most common Covington ZIP codes and how Covington compares with other cities in Kenton County and across Kentucky.
