Colorado Paycheck Calculator 2026
Colorado paychecks carry a 0.44% FAMLI premium (the employee half of 0.88%) on top of the flat 4.4% income tax. Denver, Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village and Sheridan also charge a small flat monthly occupational privilege tax.
Last updated: October 2026
Pay and filing
Annual gross: $65,000
Used to stop Social Security at the $184,500 wage base and to start the extra 0.9% Medicare above $200,000 on this paycheck.
Form W-4
Step 3: $2,200 per child and $500 per other dependent, a year.
For example education or child care credits you expect to claim.
Interest, dividends or other income with no withholding.
Deductions beyond the standard deduction, including deductible IRA contributions.
Retirement and benefits
$3,900 a year, capped at the $24,500 employee limit for 2026.
Traditional contributions lower federal and most state income tax now, but not Social Security or Medicare.
Through payroll, an HSA avoids income tax and FICA. California and New Jersey still tax it.
2026 limit $3,400.
2026 limit $7,500 per household ($3,750 married filing separately).
Paycheck breakdown (biweekly)
Annual summary
Colorado paycheck rules for 2026
| State income tax, 2026 | Flat 4.4% |
|---|---|
| Deductions before tax | federal standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 joint) |
| Withholding certificate | Form DR 0004 (optional) |
| Bonus (supplemental) withholding | Colorado withholds its flat 4.4% on supplemental wages. |
| Mandatory payroll premiums | Colorado FAMLI premium (employee share): 0.44% up to $184,500 |
| Local income taxes | Five Colorado cities charge a flat monthly occupational privilege tax on people who work in them: Denver, Aurora, Glendale, Sheridan and Greenwood Village. The amounts are small and per-month, not a percentage. |
| Reciprocity agreements | None |
| Sales tax (for context) | 2.90% state, 7.89% average combined with local (rank 16 of 51) |
Worked example: $60,000 in Colorado
Single filer, paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), standard W-4, no 401(k) or other benefits.
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 |
| Federal income tax | -$193.08 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$143.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$33.46 |
| Colorado income tax | -$74.29 |
| Colorado FAMLI premium (employee share) | -$10.15 |
| Take-home pay | $1,853.63 |
Colorado take-home pay at different salaries
Single filer, paid every two weeks, standard W-4, no benefits, no local tax.
| Salary | Per paycheck | Per year | To Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,272.78 | $33,092 | $1,228 |
| $60,000 | $1,853.63 | $48,194 | $2,196 |
| $100,000 | $2,886.48 | $75,048 | $4,132 |
| $150,000 | $4,124.59 | $107,239 | $6,552 |
Living and working in Colorado
Colorado's state sales tax is 2.90%; with local add-ons the average combined rate is 7.89%, ranked 16 of 51 as of July 2026.
Colorado starts from federal taxable income, so every federal deduction flows straight through to the state return.
In retirement: Colorado taxes Social Security but allows a large subtraction: taxpayers 65 and over can deduct all federally taxable Social Security, and those 55 to 64 can deduct up to $20,000 of pension and annuity income.
Colorado paycheck questions
How much is take-home pay on $60,000 in Colorado?
A single filer paid $60,000 a year every two weeks, with no pre-tax benefits, takes home about $1,853.63 a paycheck in Colorado ($48,194 a year). Each $2,307.69 paycheck loses $193.08 to federal income tax, $176.54 to Social Security and Medicare, $74.29 to Colorado income tax and $10.15 to state payroll premiums. That is $2,196 a year less than the same salary in a state with no income tax or payroll premiums.
How much Colorado income tax comes out of each paycheck?
Flat 4.4%. Colorado starts from federal taxable income, so the federal standard deduction flows through. On a $60,000 salary that works out to about $74.29 every two weeks, an effective 3.22% of gross pay.
What else does Colorado take out of a paycheck?
Colorado FAMLI premium (employee share): The 2026 FAMLI premium is 0.88% of wages, split evenly, so employees pay 0.44% up to the Social Security wage base. On $60,000 these total about $264 a year.
Are there local income taxes on Colorado paychecks?
Yes. Five Colorado cities charge a flat monthly occupational privilege tax on people who work in them: Denver, Aurora, Glendale, Sheridan and Greenwood Village. The amounts are small and per-month, not a percentage. Choose your city or county in the calculator, or enter its rate under “Other”.
I live in another state but work in Colorado. Whose tax comes out?
Colorado has no reciprocal agreements, so your employer withholds Colorado tax on wages for work done in Colorado. Your home state normally gives a credit for tax paid to Colorado, so you are not taxed twice on the same pay, but you may need to file in both states.
How are bonuses withheld in Colorado?
Federally, a bonus paid separately is usually withheld at a flat 22% (37% on supplemental pay above $1 million in the year). For Colorado: Colorado withholds its flat 4.4% on supplemental wages.
Which form sets my Colorado withholding?
Colorado uses Form DR 0004 (optional) alongside the federal Form W-4. If you do not file one, your employer uses the state's default setting, usually single with no allowances or adjustments. Update it after marriage, a new child or a second job.
More for Colorado
- Colorado income tax calculator for the full year
- Paycheck calculator for all states
- Bonus tax calculator