Sales tax in Bell County, Kentucky
The sales tax rate in Bell County, Kentucky is 6%. That is a 6% state rate, with no county rate on top: Bell County levies none, and it is the same at every address in the county. That rate was read from Kentucky's own published schedule and checked on August 30, 2026.
What is the sales tax rate in Bell County?
| Kentucky state rate | 6% |
|---|---|
| Combined rate | 6% |
How much sales tax is that on a purchase in Bell County?
At 6%, a $100 purchase carries $6.00 in sales tax and a $1,000 purchase $60.00. That is general merchandise; Kentucky taxes some categories, often groceries, differently, as the note below explains.
Every county in Kentucky has the same 6% floor. See every Kentucky county.
Sales tax in counties next to Bell County
Bell County borders 7 counties, 2 of them in another state. The lowest rate next door is 5.3% in Lee County, VA, which is $7.00 less on a $1,000 purchase than Bell County's rate.
| County | Combined sales tax |
|---|---|
| Claiborne County, TN | 9.25% |
| Clay County, KY | 6% |
| Harlan County, KY | 6% |
| Knox County, KY | 6% |
| Leslie County, KY | 6% |
| Whitley County, KY | 6% |
| Bell County, KY (this county) | 6% |
| Lee County, VA | 5.3% |
Why the rate here is not the whole story
No local sales taxes anywhere in the state; groceries and prescription drugs are exempt, but Kentucky has been steadily expanding the tax to cover more services (36+ services added by HB 8 in 2023).
How do I find the exact rate for an address in Bell County?
Use Kentucky's own address lookup.
Who has to collect sales tax in Bell County?
Any seller with a physical presence in Kentucky collects at the rate for the address of the sale; a remote seller does once it passes Kentucky's economic nexus threshold. Kentucky sales tax covers the statewide rules and what is exempt.
Work out your own numbers
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Sales tax calculator
Tax on a specific purchase at this county's rate, and the total you will actually pay.
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Do you have to collect?
Whether your sales into Kentucky cross its economic nexus threshold. A different question from the rate.
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Property tax in Bell County
The other local tax: effective rate and median bill for this county.
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Sales tax by county
Every US county, and how Kentucky compares with the rest of the country.
Sources
- Bell County rates: Kentucky Department of Revenue / Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates (Jan. 2026)
- Collected and verified August 30, 2026. Confidence: S on the rate components (P read on a primary agency page, S strong but indirect, U unverified).