Colorado rules
How Colorado taxes your paycheck in 2026
Colorado has one of the simplest systems in the country: a 4.4% flat tax applied directly to your federal taxable income. Because Colorado piggybacks on the federal definition, the same standard deduction that lowers your federal tax also lowers your Colorado tax — there is no separate state deduction to calculate.
The 4.4% flat rate on federal taxable income
The Colorado Department of Revenue starts from your federal taxable income (gross minus the federal standard deduction and pre-tax deferrals) and applies 4.4%. This calculator mirrors that approach, so a single filer earning $70,000 pays 4.4% on roughly $53,900 of income.
| Gross salary | CO state tax (≈4.4%) | Est. take-home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | ~$1,492 | ~$40,500 |
| $70,000 | ~$2,372 | ~$55,000 |
| $100,000 | ~$3,692 | ~$75,500 |
| $150,000 | ~$5,892 | ~$108,400 |
4.4% of federal taxable income. Single filer, 2026 federal brackets and FICA.
Comparing Colorado to other states
Colorado's 4.4% lands between Arizona's 2.5% and Georgia's 5.19%. Compare with no-tax neighbor structures or run a salary through high-tax California for contrast.
Questions
Colorado salary calculator FAQ
What is the Colorado income tax rate for 2026?
Colorado has a flat individual income tax of 4.4% applied to your federal taxable income, administered by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Temporary reductions can appear in years with large TABOR surpluses.
How much is taken out of a paycheck in Colorado?
A Colorado paycheck is reduced by federal income tax, 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare and the flat 4.4% state income tax. On a $70,000 single salary, total deductions are roughly 23% to 25%.
How does Colorado calculate state taxable income?
Colorado uses your federal taxable income as the starting point, so the federal standard deduction and pre-tax 401(k) contributions automatically reduce your Colorado tax too. The 4.4% flat rate is then applied to that figure.
What is the take-home pay on $70,000 in Colorado?
A single filer earning $70,000 in Colorado takes home roughly $55,000 a year after federal tax, FICA and the 4.4% state income tax. Use the calculator above for your exact figure.
- Sources: Colorado Department of Revenue (4.4% flat rate on federal taxable income) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base.
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
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