Colorado Paycheck Calculator (2026)
Last updated: 2026-10-07 · Colorado figures checked against official sources on 2026-10-07
Colorado withholds a flat 4.4% state income tax in 2026 using its own formula and your federal W-4, plus local income taxes in some cities or counties; employees also pay Colorado FAMLI. On a $50,000 salary paid every two weeks, a single employee keeps about $1,545.28 per check: $146.92 federal, $147.11 Social Security and Medicare, $75.31 Colorado income tax and $8.46 in state premiums come out of $1,923.08.
Year-to-date, employer size and gross-up
For the $184,500 wage base and the $200,000 Additional Medicare threshold.
Sets state paid-leave shares (e.g. DE, CO, ME).
Enter a take-home amount to solve for gross pay.
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Paycheck breakdown · 2026 · Colorado
| Item | This check | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $1,923.08 | $50,000 |
| Gross pay | $1,923.08 | $50,000 |
| − Federal income tax | −$146.92 | −$3,820 |
| − Social Security (6.2%) | −$119.23 | −$3,100 |
| − Medicare (1.45%) | −$27.88 | −$725 |
| − Colorado income taxState formula | −$75.31 | −$1,958 |
| − CO FAMLI (0.44%) 10+ employees: 0.88% split 50/50. Employers may choose to pay the employee share. | −$8.46 | |
| Net pay | $1,545.28 | $40,177 |
Year total for state programs (with their wage caps): $220.
How federal withholding was figured (Pub. 15-T Worksheet 1A)
| 1a | Taxable wages this pay period | $1,923.08 |
| 1b | Pay periods per year | 26 |
| 1c | Annualized wages | $50,000.08 |
| 1d | Step 4(a) other income | $0.00 |
| 1f | Step 4(b) deductions | $0.00 |
| 1g | Standard adjustment ($12,900 MFJ / $8,600 other) | $8,600.00 |
| 2a | Adjusted Annual Wage Amount | $41,400.08 |
| 2b–2d | Row: at least $19,900 → $1,240.00 + 12% of the excess (standard single schedule) | |
| 2g | Annual tentative withholding | $3,820.01 |
| 2h | ÷ pay periods | $146.92 |
| 3b | Step 3 credits per period | −$0.00 |
| 4a | Extra withholding (Step 4(c)) | $0.00 |
| 4b | Federal income tax to withhold | $146.92 |
How Colorado withholding was figured
Colorado DR 1098 (2026) withholding worksheet
| Annualized state wages ($1,923.08 × 26) | $50,000.08 |
| Default allowance from W-4 filing status | −$5,500.00 |
| × 4.4% | $1,958.00 |
| Annual withholding ÷ 26 pay periods | $75.31 |
What the employer pays on top
| Social Security match (6.2%) | $119.23 |
| Medicare match (1.45%) | $27.88 |
| FUTA (0.6% of the first $7,000) | $11.54 |
| Federal employer taxes this check | $158.65 |
Plus state unemployment, paid-leave employer shares and workers' comp — payroll cost calculator has every state's 2026 rates.
Colorado take-home pay examples (2026)
Paid biweekly, 2026 W-4 with only the filing status, no pre-tax deductions or local tax; Colorado certificate — single: federal W-4 filing status single; married: federal W-4 filing status married filing jointly. Computed with the same engine as the calculator.
| Salary · filing status | Gross / check | Federal | Soc. Sec. + Medicare | Colorado tax | State premiums | Net / check | Net / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 · single | $1,923.08 | $146.92 | $147.11 | $75.31 | $8.46 | $1,545.28 | $40,177 |
| $50,000 · married, one income | $1,923.08 | $68.46 | $147.11 | $66.00 | $8.46 | $1,633.05 | $42,459 |
| $100,000 · single | $3,846.15 | $506.54 | $294.23 | $159.92 | $16.92 | $2,868.54 | $74,582 |
| $100,000 · married, one income | $3,846.15 | $293.85 | $294.23 | $150.62 | $16.92 | $3,090.53 | $80,354 |
Colorado income tax rates for 2026
2026: Rate unchanged at 4.40% (Proposition 121, C.R.S. 39-22-104(1.7)); 2025 was also 4.40% (no TABOR temporary reduction), 2024 was 4.25%. New for 2026: (1) Proposition MM (Nov 2025) cuts the high-income (AGI > $300,000) standard/itemized deduction limit to $1,000 single / $2,000 joint, so almost all of the federal deduction is added back for those filers; (2) federal OBBBA overtime deduction must be added back starting tax year 2026 (C.R.S. 39-22-104(3)(u), HB26-1289 signed 2026-06-03). Federal tips deduction is NOT added back.
All filing statuses
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Over $0 | 4.4% |
- Standard deduction
- $16,100 single · $32,200 married jointly · $24,150 head of household
- Personal exemption
- —
Credits, phase-outs and other Colorado rules
- Colorado tax = 4.40% x Colorado taxable income. Colorado taxable income starts from FEDERAL TAXABLE INCOME (Form 1040 line 15), so the federal standard deduction is effectively used (federal conformity): 2026 federal standard deduction $16,100 single/MFS, $32,200 MFJ, $24,150 HOH (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). There is no separate Colorado personal exemption.
- High-income deduction addback (C.R.S. 39-22-104(3)(p), Proposition FF / Proposition MM): if federal AGI exceeds $300,000, add back the federal standard or itemized deduction in excess of $1,000 (single) / $2,000 (joint) for tax years 2026 and later (the limit was $12,000 / $16,000 for 2023-2025). Source: CO DOR Individual Income Tax Guide (rev. Jan 2026), Part 3, p. 7.
- Overtime addback: for tax years 2026 and later the full federal deduction for qualified overtime compensation claimed on IRS Schedule 1-A must be added back (C.R.S. 39-22-104(3)(u), HB25-1296 as amended by HB26-1289). No addback is required for the federal qualified-tips deduction (CO DOR Individual Income Tax Guide, Jan 2026, Part 3). Other OBBBA below-the-line deductions that reduce federal taxable income flow through.
- QBI (IRC 199A) deduction addback for AGI > $500,000 single / $1,000,000 joint (not wage-relevant).
- TABOR: under C.R.S. 39-22-627 (SB24-228) the rate can be temporarily reduced for a tax year when excess state revenue exceeds thresholds (2024 rate was 4.25%; 2025 rate 4.40% per 2025 DR 0104 booklet). No temporary reduction for tax year 2026 appears in the CO DOR guidance reviewed (Individual Income Tax Guide rev. Jan 2026; DR 1098 2026 uses 4.40%); any 2026 reduction would depend on the FY2025-26 TABOR surplus certification - re-check before filing season.
All 51 jurisdictions side by side: 2026 state income tax rates.
How Colorado withholding works
Employee form: IRS Form W-4 (default) or optional Colorado Form DR 0004, Colorado Employee Withholding Certificate
Employer guide: DR 1098 (10/21/25) 2026 Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers
Annualize wages (wages per period x pay periods). Subtract the annual withholding allowance: DR 0004 Line 2 amount if the employee filed a DR 0004 (including zero); otherwise $11,000 if W-4 Step 1(c) is married filing jointly/qualifying surviving spouse, or $5,500 for any other W-4 filing status (no W-4/DR 0004 = treat as single). Multiply the remainder (not below zero) by 4.40%, divide by pay periods, then add DR 0004 Line 3 extra withholding. Federal W-4 Steps 2-4 are ignored for Colorado.
Other deductions from a Colorado paycheck
- Colorado FAMLI — up to 0.44%, first $184,500 of wages. 2026 premium lowered to 0.88% (from 0.9%) of wages up to $184,500. Employers with 10+ employees pay at least half; smaller employers remit only the employee share. Source
Local income taxes in Colorado
- Denver (Employee Occupational Privilege Tax) — $69 a year. $5.75 per month withheld from any employee who performs sufficient services in Denver to earn at least $500 in a calendar month ($5.75 x 12 = $69/yr if the threshold is met every month). Employer also pays a separate $4.00/month Business OPT per taxable employee (not an employee deduction). DRMC 53-237 et seq. Source
- Greenwood Village (Occupational Privilege Tax) — $24 a year. Employee portion $2 per month when $250 or more is earned in the city in a calendar month ($24/yr if every month); employer pays a matching $2/month. Source
- Glendale (Occupational Privilege Tax) — $60 a year. Employee pays $5 per month when earning more than $750 in the City of Glendale during a calendar month ($60/yr if every month); employer matches $5. Source
- Sheridan (Occupational Privilege Tax) — $36 a year. Employee pays $3 per month through payroll withholding; employer matches $3 ($36/yr). The city's official page does not state a monthly earnings threshold, so none is given here. Source
- Aurora (Occupational Privilege Tax) - REPEALED. Aurora's $2/month employee OPT was repealed effective January 1, 2025 (Ordinance 2022-77); nothing is due for 2026. Source
Colorado paycheck FAQ
How much is $50,000 a year after taxes in Colorado?
About $40,177 a year — $1,545.28 per biweekly paycheck — for a single filer with a basic 2026 W-4 and no pre-tax deductions: $146.92 federal income tax, $147.11 Social Security and Medicare, $75.31 Colorado income tax and $8.46 in Colorado FAMLI per check. A married couple filing jointly on one $50,000 income keeps about $42,459 ($1,633.05 per check).
How much is $100,000 a year after taxes in Colorado?
About $74,582 for a single filer ($2,868.54 per biweekly check) and $80,354 for a married couple with one income ($3,090.53 per check); Colorado income tax takes $4,158 and $3,916 of that respectively. Add 401(k), health or HSA deductions in the calculator to see your exact number.
What is the Colorado income tax rate for 2026?
A single rate of 4.4%, after a standard deduction of $16,100 single / $32,200 joint. Rate unchanged at 4.40% (Proposition 121, C.R.S.
Which form controls Colorado withholding?
Colorado uses your federal Form W-4 filing status to figure state withholding unless you file the optional Colorado Form DR 0004. Employer guide: DR 1098 (10/21/25) 2026 Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers.
Are there local income taxes in Colorado?
Yes: Denver (Employee Occupational Privilege Tax); Greenwood Village (Occupational Privilege Tax); Glendale (Occupational Privilege Tax); Sheridan (Occupational Privilege Tax); Aurora (Occupational Privilege Tax) - REPEALED. Pick yours under “Local income tax” in the calculator.
What else comes out of a Colorado paycheck besides income tax?
Colorado FAMLI: up to 0.44% (first $184,500 of wages). Plus federal Social Security (6.2% of wages up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%, and 0.9% more over $200,000).
Does Colorado tax 401(k) contributions or health premiums?
Colorado follows the federal treatment for wage withholding: traditional 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) deferrals and cafeteria-plan items (health premiums, HSA, FSA) reduce the wages Colorado taxes.
More for Colorado employers and employees
Official Sources
Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-07- CO DOR - DR 1098 2026 Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers (10/21/25)
- CO DOR - Individual Income Tax FAQ (rate 4.40% since 2022)
- CO DOR - Withholding Tax Filing Requirements
- CO DOR - Colorado Individual Income Tax Guide (Revised January 2026)
- CO DOR - 2025 Book 104 (2025 tax table at 4.4%)
- HB26-1289 session law (Ch. 364) - C.R.S. 39-22-104(3)(u) overtime addback for tax years beginning on/after 1/1/2026
- HB25-1296 Tax Expenditure Adjustment (created overtime addback)
- SB24-228 TABOR Refund Mechanisms (temporary rate reduction schedule)
- Colorado FAMLI — employers (2026 premium 0.88%)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods — federal withholding
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide — FICA
Paycheck calculators for other states
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Estimates only, not tax or payroll advice. Check results against your pay stub.