CO

Colorado Paycheck Calculator

See exactly what you take home after federal taxes, Colorado state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Updated for 2026.

State tax: 4.4% SS: 6.2% Medicare: 1.45% 2026 brackets
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1099 freelancer note: You owe both halves of Social Security & Medicare — that's 15.3% self-employment tax on top of income tax. Quarterly estimated payments due Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15.
Colorado state income tax (2026) Colorado uses a flat 4.4% income tax rate.
Flat 4.4% on all taxable income

Colorado Income Tax Explained (2026)

Colorado has a state income tax with a flat 4.4% structure. Workers earning typical wages generally pay an effective state rate between 2.2% and 4.4% depending on income and deductions. Understanding how Colorado's tax works helps you accurately predict your take-home pay and plan your withholding.

Colorado residents also pay federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). The combination of federal and state taxes is the primary driver of the gap between your gross pay and your actual paycheck.

How Colorado compares to neighboring states

Wyoming
No income tax
Zero state tax
Utah
4.85% flat
Slightly higher
New Mexico
Up to 5.9%
Higher top rate
Kansas
Up to 5.7%
Higher top rate

What taxes come out of a Colorado paycheck?

A Colorado W-2 employee's paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (progressive 10%–37%), Colorado state income tax (flat 4.4%), Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages. High earners above $200,000 also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on excess wages.

Colorado freelancers and 1099 contractors pay self-employment tax of 15.3% — covering both employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare — on top of both federal and state income taxes. Half of the self-employment tax is deductible from federal adjusted gross income, reducing the effective burden slightly. Colorado freelancers must also make quarterly estimated state tax payments.

Colorado tax tips for 2026

  • Flat rate: Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax rate on all taxable income — easy to predict and the same rate regardless of how much you earn.
  • Federal deduction: Colorado conforms to federal tax rules, so your Colorado standard deduction matches your federal standard deduction ($13,850 for single filers in 2026).
  • TABOR refunds: Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) can trigger state tax refunds when revenues exceed limits. These are typically distributed as property tax credits or direct refunds.
  • Freelancers: Colorado requires quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000 state tax. Use Colorado Form 104EP.

Frequently asked questions

Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax rate. This rate applies to all Colorado taxable income above the standard deduction, regardless of income level. Colorado reduced its rate from 4.55% in 2022 via the TABOR mechanism, and the 4.4% rate applies to tax years 2024 and beyond.
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Colorado in 2026, after the ~$13,850 standard deduction, taxable income is ~$61,150. At 4.4%, state tax is approximately $2,691. Combined with federal tax (~$10,294), SS ($4,650), and Medicare ($1,088), total deductions are ~$18,723. Take-home is approximately $56,277/year or ~$2,165 bi-weekly.
Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits state revenue growth to population growth plus inflation. When the state collects more than the limit, excess revenue is returned to taxpayers. In recent years Colorado has issued TABOR refunds. These are typically claimed on the state income tax return, not as a separate payment.
Colorado has been phasing out its tax on Social Security benefits. For tax year 2026, Colorado residents under age 55 may deduct a portion of Social Security income; those 55–64 may deduct up to $20,000; and those 65 and older may deduct the full amount of their Social Security income. This makes Colorado increasingly friendly to retirees.
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