Colorado Paycheck Calculator

Colorado state income tax

Colorado has a flat income tax of 4.40% applied to federal taxable income with state adjustments. In years when TABOR revenue limits are exceeded the rate can be temporarily reduced, and surplus is often refunded to taxpayers.

Local taxes & deductions

Denver, Aurora, Greenwood Village, Glendale and Sheridan charge a small occupational privilege tax (Denver: $5.75 a month from employees). Colorado FAMLI also withholds 0.45% of wages from employees (half of the 0.9% premium) for paid family leave.

Federal tax & FICA

On Colorado's average pay of about $80,000 a year (BLS QCEW, 2024) federal income tax and FICA make up roughly 77% of withholding and the flat 4.40% state tax the rest. Because Colorado starts from federal taxable income, pre-tax 401(k) and health contributions lower both your federal and state bill.

Colorado paycheck FAQ

What is the FAMLI deduction on my Colorado paycheck?

FAMLI is Colorado's paid family and medical leave program. The premium is 0.9% of wages, and employers may deduct up to half (0.45%) from employees, capped at the Social Security wage base.

What is the Denver occupational privilege tax?

Employees earning more than $500 a month for work in Denver pay $5.75 a month, and employers pay $4 per employee. Aurora, Greenwood Village, Glendale and Sheridan charge similar small monthly amounts.

What is a TABOR refund?

Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights caps state revenue growth. When collections exceed the cap, the surplus is returned through temporary rate cuts or refunds on the state return, not through your paycheck.

Colorado income tax brackets

Approximate single-filer brackets; thresholds are indexed each year. The calculator above applies an effective rate rather than bracket-by-bracket state math.