Colorado Tax Filling

Filing Your Colorado Taxes

It is tax season again – or for some new workers it’s a brand-new thing. Figuring out and filing your tax forms can be intimidating – but there is help. Here you will find answers, forms and more that will make your paperwork easier, faster and, one hopes, less stressful. The information below will help you determine your residency status, find the correct forms and give you other information you need to get started.

Colorado state income tax returns for 2012 are due April 15.

Comparing Your Options in Online Tax Software

TurboTax and H&R Block are the most prominent online tax software providers for those who do their own taxes. All are useful for many types of personal and business tax filing. Each provider has its pros and cons - but we did all the work for you. Just take a look at the chart below to find the best one for your needs.

Note that TurboTax offers FREE state income tax filing in Colorado! Click on the provider to find out if you qualify.

Colorado Tax Forms

• Colorado Form 104PN - Colorado Part-year/Non-resident Tax Calculation Schedule
• Colorado Form 158-I - Colorado Extension Payment Voucher for Colorado Individual Income Tax
• Colorado Form 104 - Colorado Individual Income Tax Return
• Colorado Form 104AMT - Colorado Alternative Minimum Tax Computation Schedule
• Colorado Form 104CR - Colorado Individual Credits Schedule
• Colorado Form DR 0084 - Colorado Substitute  W-2 Form for Income Tax Withheld
• Colorado Form 105 - Colorado Payment Voucher for Automatic Colorado Extension for Estates or Trusts *use 105 form to amend a return
• Colorado Form 106 - Colorado Income Tax Return for Pass-Through Entities and Composite Filing for Nonresidents *use 106 form to amend a return
• Colorado Form 112 - Colorado C-Corporation Income Tax - Electronic Filing Guide
• Colorado Form DR 0211 - Colorado Income Tax Order Form
• Colorado Form DR 0253 - Colorado Income Tax Closing Agreement
• Colorado Tax Booklet - Colorado Income Tax Booklet
• Colorado Form 104X - Amended Colorado Individual Income Tax Return

Determine Your Residency Status

The amount of your taxes depends on your residency status, so check below to see which category you fall in.

You Are a Resident of Colorado

Colorado has a special way of defining residents. If you had your domicile home or lived in Colorado for at least 183 days of the tax year, you are a resident. In this case, you have to file an income tax return by using Form-104. You can download the 2012 Colorado Income Tax Guide above for more information on how to file Form-104.

The tax filing system in Colorado is based on the federal one, so there are no other credits or exceptions than those already stated on your federal return. When filling in Form-104, you will need to perform some calculations based on your federal taxable income; the result will be taxed by Colorado at a flat rate of 4.63%.

You Are a Part-Year Resident in Colorado

If you moved to or left Colorado during the tax year, you are considered a part-year resident. In this case, if you filed a federal tax-return, you may have to file a tax return with the state of Colorado as well. For special cases, see sections “You Are a Colorado Resident”, “You Are a Colorado Resident Who Works in a Different State”, “You Are a Nonresident Who Works in Colorado” or “You are a nonresident who sold property in Colorado” to determine which forms you need to file.

You Are a Colorado Resident Who Works in a Different State

If you are a resident working in a different state, you have to keep in mind a few things in order to avoid dual taxation. First, you need to file your federal tax return the same way as if you were a resident living and working in Colorado. Second, file your tax return with the state where you are working. Third, file your Colorado tax return. To do that, fill in Colorado Form 104 (lines 1-18 only). Then, fill Colorado Form 104CR (lines 20, 21 and 24 only).

You are a nonresident who works in Colorado

If you didn’t have your domicile home in Colorado for any part of the tax year, even if you may temporarily reside or work here, you are considered a nonresident of Colorado. When are you required to file a Colorado nonresident return? If you filed a federal income return which included income obtained from a source in Colorado (including property sales), or you have a Colorado tax liability. You should keep in mind that there is no minimum taxable income limit. To file your nonresident Colorado return, you have to use Form-104PN.