Kentucky Republicans working to lower state income tax again

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — As the tax season kicks off, Kentuckians will have an array of different taxes to pay. ABC 36 took a closer look at the state income tax.

“Anybody who pays taxes would prefer their burden to be none whatsoever,” said Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ky.).

McDaniel is talking about the state income tax — a tax Kentucky Republicans want to lower to zero; a number only seven states have.

He explained they’re trying to reduce the tax logically, while also continuing to meet other state obligations.

“We do have certain constitutional obligations, like you say, to public education, to roads, to public safety, to justice, to many things and we will continue to meet those obligations,” he said.

Also adding that consistently lowering the state income tax is and will positively affect low-income families.

“We’re doing it in a very structured, very disciplined way so that the services they do count on are not dramatically and negatively impacted in a short amount of time,” said McDaniel.

McDaniel says he believes legislators have put a good framework into place for lowering the state income tax but it will more than likely take several more years before it has the chance to reach zero percent.

“But we will just have to see how receipts grow and also how spending is constrained. I think in a much more near term you’ll be able to see three and a half and then we’ll have to continue to see how things evolve,” McDaniel said.