Colorado Paycheck Calculator
↻ Updated 2026 tax yearSee your real take-home pay in Colorado for 2026 — after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) and Colorado state income tax.
How Colorado taxes your paycheck
Colorado taxes wage income at a flat 4.4% — the same rate for every earner, applied to your Colorado taxable income. There are no brackets. The calculator above applies the 4.4% rate after Colorado's generous $16,100 standard deduction to estimate the state income tax withheld from your pay.
That $16,100 deduction, which mirrors the federal standard deduction, is what makes Colorado's flat rate gentler than it looks: a meaningful slice of your income is shielded before the 4.4% applies, so your effective state rate comes in below the headline figure.
Denver's occupational privilege tax — a flat few dollars, not a percentage
A few Colorado cities, Denver among them, charge an 'occupational privilege tax' — but it is a small flat charge of only a few dollars a month on employees who work in the city, not a percentage of your wages. It barely moves your take-home. Still, the calculator above models state income tax only, not local tax, so this small monthly charge is not reflected in the estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Colorado income tax rate for 2026?
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate for 2026, applied to taxable income after a $16,100 standard deduction. The rate is the same at every income level. Enter your salary above to see the estimated Colorado tax on your specific pay.
Does Colorado have local income taxes?
Not in the usual sense. A few cities like Denver levy an 'occupational privilege tax,' but it is a flat charge of roughly a few dollars a month rather than a percentage of wages, so it has little effect on your paycheck compared with the flat 4.4% state tax.
- ·IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 inflation adjustments — Tax year 2026 brackets & standard deduction
- ·IRS Topic 751 — Social Security & Medicare withholding rates
- ·Tax Foundation — 2026 State Income Tax Rates and Brackets — State wage-tax estimate; excludes local income taxes
RealMoneyIQ provides free educational calculators, not financial, tax, investment or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you enter and publicly published rates; your actual outcome will differ. Always confirm decisions with a licensed professional who knows your full situation.