Colorado Income Tax Calculator

Colorado state tax quick facts Income tax: 4.63% flat rate Sales tax: 2.9% - 11.2% Property tax: 0.55% average effective rate Gas tax: 22.0 cents per gallon of regular gasoline, 20.5 cents per gallon of diesel

The Centennial State has a flat income tax rate of 4.63%, and one of the lowest statewide sales taxes in the country, at just 2.9%. However, because of numerous additional county and city sales taxes, actual combined rates can be as high as 11.2%. When considering these local taxes, the average Colorado sales tax rate is about 7.5%, 16th highest in the country.

On the other hand, homeowners in Colorado get a break: The state’s property taxes are among the nation’s lowest, with an average effective rate of just 0.55%. Below, we’ll take a look at each of these taxes individually, as well as one that you may not even be aware of.

Colorado Income Tax

The state income tax in Colorado is assessed at a flat rate of 4.63%, which means that everyone in Colorado pays that same rate, regardless of income level. There are seven other states with a flat income tax. Among these states, Colorado’s rate ranks about in the middle of the pack. Colorado’s income tax is also fairly average when compared to the top rate of those states with a progressive income tax.

That 4.63% applies to Colorado taxable income, which is equal to federal taxable income. This means that taxpayers who do not itemize deductions on their federal income tax return do not have the option to do so on their state return; conversely, taxpayers who do itemize deductions federally must claim the same deductions on their state return.

There are a couple of exceptions to this. One is that taxpayers who make donations to charity, but do not itemize deductions on their federal return, may be able to deduct those donations on their Colorado state income taxes. Another is the deduction for state income taxes (also known as the SALT deduction). Taxpayers who itemize deductions federally, and claim this deduction, must add it back to their Colorado taxable federal income tax return.

Colorado Tax Credits

After calculating their initial tax bill, there are some additional tax credits Coloradoans can claim. The most significant of these are the Child Care Tax Credit (which is equal to a percentage of the federal credit by the same name), the Earned Income Credit (equal to 10% of the federal credit) and the Alternative Fuel Credit, which is available to taxpayers who purchase an alternative fuel vehicle such as a battery-powered electric car.

Colorado Sales Tax

The statewide sales tax in Colorado is just 2.9%, lowest among states with a sales tax. However, as anyone who has spent time in Denver, Boulder or Colorado Springs can tell you, actual sales tax rates are much higher in most cities. This is because many cities and counties have their own sales taxes in addition to the state sales tax. The table below shows sales tax rates for all counties and the largest cities in Colorado.

Property and tangible goods (including electronically delivered goods such as music downloads) are subject to sales tax in Colorado, but most services are not. While prepared food is taxable, most food that is purchased for consumption at home (i.e. groceries) is nontaxable. Prescription drugs are also tax-exempt in Colorado.

Colorado Property Tax

If you’re thinking about finally investing in that Rocky Mountain ski lodge, there’s some good news: Colorado has some of the lowest property taxes in the country. The state’s average effective property tax rate (property taxes paid as a percentage of home value) of 0.55% is the fifth lowest in the U.S. In some areas, effective property taxes are even lower. In Gilpin County, for example, where homeowners there pay about $756 annually in property taxes, the rate is just 0.25%.

Before purchasing your new chalet, you’ll want to take a look at our Colorado mortgage guide to get a full understanding of the mortgage market in the Centennial State.

Calculate Your Property Taxes: Colorado Property Tax Calculator

Colorado Marijuana Tax

As of 2014, marijuana is both legal and taxable in Colorado. The marijuana tax rate is substantial, charging 30% on marijuana purchases across the state. That tax rate includes a 15% excise tax on marijuana and a 15% retail marijuana sales tax. The state sales tax rate also applies, so the total tax you pay is 32.9% plus any additional local sales taxes.

Colorado Estate Tax

There is no estate or inheritance tax in Colorado.

Colorado Capital Gains Tax

Most capital gains in Colorado are taxed at the standard income tax rate of 4.63%. However, certain long-term gains are exempt. Gains from property acquired after May 9, 1994, which was held for at least five years before being sold, may be exempt up to a limit of $100,000.

Colorado Gas Tax

The gas tax in Colorado is 22.0 cents per gallon of regular gas, 13th lowest in the country. Diesel fuel is taxed at a rate of 20.5 cents per gallon.

Photo credit: flickr

The highest point in Colorado is the peak of Mount Elbert, at 14,433 feet. The lowest point is along the Arkansas River, at 3,350 feet. Colorado’s nickname is the Centennial State because it achieved statehood less than a month after the centennial of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.