Personal income tax
The Colorado income tax rate is a flat 4.63 percent of your federal taxable income, regardless of income level.
Colorado tax returns are due April 15, or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday.
Colorado tax returns can be filed electronically, either online via NetFile or by touch-tone telephone with the state's TeleFile system. Both options are available 24 hours a day, every day throughout the income tax season. Most Colorado filers are eligible to use at least one of the e-file methods.
Sales taxes
Colorado's state sales tax is 2.9 percent on retail sales.
Because of budget concerns, Colorado lawmakers have in recent sessions made more products and services taxable.
Many counties and cities charge their own rates in addition to the base state rate.
There are also certain county and special district taxes that may apply.
Locate your city and county sales tax rates with the Department of Revenue's online rate finder.
Personal and real property taxes
Real estate and personal business property are taxable in Colorado.
Personal business property includes computers, shelving, furniture, equipment and items that directly or indirectly produce income within your business.
The county assessor determines the value of property using a market, cost or income approach. Property taxes then are assessed on a percentage of the property's actual value. You can determine your property tax bill by multiplying the assessed value by your local tax rate.
The county assessor will mail a declaration schedule for property taxes after Jan. 1. The county treasurer is responsible for mailing and collecting the actual property tax bill.
If you have questions about your property taxes, check the county listing in the blue pages of a local telephone book for the Colorado county property tax office that applies to you or check Colorado Counties Online for your county's website.
Colorado offers a rebate for property taxes and heating costs, whether paid directly or as a part of rent payments, to qualifying elderly, disabled and lower-income taxpayers. File Form 104PTC to claim the rebate. For additional information, call (303) 238-3278.
Inheritance and estate taxes
The Colorado estate tax does not apply to decedents whose date of death is on or after Jan. 1, 2005. The Colorado estate tax is based on the state death tax credit allowable on the federal return. That credit was eliminated, effective Dec. 31, 2004, as a result of federal estate tax law changes. Future changes to the federal laws will determine whether states will collect an estate tax in future years.
Colorado does impose an income tax on estates and trusts. The tax, sometimes referred to as fiduciary income tax, is a flat 4.63 percent. When an estate or trust is administered in Colorado, it is considered to be a resident estate or trust. Nonresident estates or trusts that are not administered in Colorado must file a return if they have Colorado source income.
Colorado has no gift tax on transfers of property by gifts, if the transfers occurred after Jan. 1, 1980.
For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue website.
Other Colorado tax facts
Colorado was the first state to allow taxpayers to check off a voluntary contribution to a charitable program on their annual state returns. This year, Colorado taxpayers can choose from 15 funds to which they can direct their money.
Colorado does not levy an intangible personal property tax.