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Colorado Individual Income Tax Return

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2018 Colorado Individual Income Tax Return

*Must attach DR 0104PN

Enter the following information from your current driver license or state identification card.

Enter the following information from your spouse’s current driver license or state identification card.

Round To The Next Dollar

1. Enter Federal Taxable Income from your federal income tax form: 1040 line 10

Attach W-2s and 1099s with CO withholding here.

Additions to Federal Taxable Income

2. State Addback, enter the state income tax deduction from your federal form 1040 schedule A, line 5a (see instructions)

3. Other Additions, explain (see instructions)

4. Subtotal, sum of lines 1 through 3

5. Subtractions from the DR 0104AD Schedule, line 18, you must submit the DR 0104AD schedule with your return.

6. Colorado Taxable Income, subtract line 5 from line 4

Tax, Prepayments and Credits: full-year residents use DR 0104CR and part-year and nonresidents use DR 0104PN

7. Colorado Tax from tax table or the DR 0104PN line 36, you must submit the DR 0104PN with your return if applicable.

8. Alternative Minimum Tax from the DR 0104AMT, you must submit the DR 0104AMT with your return.

9. Recapture of prior year credits

10. Subtotal, sum of lines 7 through 9

11. Nonrefundable Credits from the DR 0104CR line 39, the sum of lines 11 and 12 cannot exceed line 10, you must submit the DR 0104CR with your return.

12. Total Nonrefundable Enterprise Zone credits used – as calculated, or from the DR 1366 line 87, the sum of lines 11 and 12 cannot exceed line 10, you must submit the DR 1366 with your return.

13. Net Income Tax, sum of lines 11 and 12. Subtract that sum from line 10.

14. Use Tax reported on the DR 0104US schedule line 7, you must submit the DR 0104US with your return.

15. Net Colorado Tax, sum of lines 13 and 14

16. CO Income Tax Withheld from W-2s and 1099s, you must submit the W-2s and/or 1099s claiming Colorado withholding with your return.

17. Prior-year Estimated Tax Carryforward

18. Estimated Tax Payments, enter the sum of the quarterly payments remitted for this tax year

19. Extension Payment remitted with the DR 0158-I

20. Other Prepayments:

21. Gross Conservation Easement Credit from the DR 1305G line 33, you must submit the DR 1305G with your return.

22. Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit from the DR 0617, you must submit each DR 0617 with your return.

23. Refundable Credits from the DR 0104CR line 8, you must submit the DR 0104CR with your return.

24. Subtotal, sum of lines 16 through 23

25. Federal Adjusted Gross Income from your federal income tax form: 1040 line 7

26. Overpayment, if line 24 is greater than line 15 then subtract line 15 from line 24

27. Estimated Tax Credit Carryforward to 2019 first quarter, if any

28. Voluntary Contributions elected on the DR 0104CH schedule line 21, you must submit the DR 0104CH with your return.

29. Subtotal, add lines 27 and 28

30. Refund, subtract line 29 from line 26 (see instructions)

Direct Deposit

Type:

For questions regarding CollegeInvest direct deposit or to open an account, visit CollegeInvest.org or call 800-448-2424.

31. Net Tax Due, subtract line 24 from line 15, then add line 28

32. Delinquent Payment Penalty (see instructions)

33. Delinquent Payment Interest (see instructions)

34. Estimated Tax Penalty, you must submit the DR 0204 with your return. (see instructions)

35. Amount You Owe, sum of lines 31 through 34

The State may convert your check to a one-time electronic banking transaction. Your bank account may be debited as early as the same day received by the State. If converted, your check will not be returned. If your check is rejected due to insufficient or uncollected funds, the Department of Revenue may collect the payment amount directly from your bank account electronically.

Third Party Designee

Do you want to allow another person to discuss this return and any other information related to this return with the Colorado Department of Revenue?

Sign Below Under penalties of perjury, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this return is true, correct and complete.

If you are filing this return with a check or payment, please mail the return to: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, Denver, CO 80261-0006

If you are filing this return without a check or payment, please mail the return to: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, Denver, CO 80261-0005

These addresses and zip codes are exclusive to the Colorado Department of Revenue, so a street address is not required.

Enter text✕

What the Colorado Individual Income Tax Return Is

The Colorado Individual Income Tax Return is the state tax form used by Colorado residents and part-year or nonresidents with Colorado-source income to report taxable income, calculate state tax liability, and claim credits or refunds. Filers typically submit Colorado returns electronically through the Colorado Department of Revenue e-file system or by mailing a signed paper return. The return incorporates items from the federal Form 1040, adjusted for Colorado-specific additions and subtractions, and supports schedules for credits, withholding, estimated payments, and partnership or S corporation passthrough allocations.

Why Completing the Colorado Return Matters

Filing an accurate Colorado Individual Income Tax Return ensures correct tax liability, preserves eligibility for state credits, and avoids penalties or interest from the Colorado Department of Revenue. Timely filing also starts the clock for refund processing and statutory appeal periods.

Why Completing the Colorado Return Matters

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Return

Choose the preparer or signer whose credentials and authority match filing complexity and representation needs.

  • Individual taxpayers filing single or joint returns who reside in Colorado or earned Colorado-source income.
  • Paid preparers and Certified Public Accountants submitting e-filed returns on behalf of clients.
  • Employers and payroll teams reconciling Colorado withholding and issuing corrected W-2s when needed.

Required Core Information on the Return

Taxpayer Name: Full legal name as on federal return
Social Security Number: SSN or ITIN for each filer
Filing Status: Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.
Colorado AGI: Adjusted gross income amount
Withholding: Colorado tax withheld per W-2/1099
Signature: Signed by taxpayer or authorized preparer

Step-by-Step: Completing and Submitting the Return

A concise filing workflow helps ensure accuracy and timely submission.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect federal return, W-2s, 1099s, and Colorado schedules.
  • 02
    Complete Forms: Transfer federal AGI and apply Colorado adjustments.
  • 03
    Review and Sign: Verify entries, sign, and date the return.
  • 04
    File and Pay: E-file preferred; pay tax due or request extension.

Configuring an Online Filing or eSubmission Workflow

Set up fields and routing rules to match Colorado filing requirements when using digital forms or eSignature platforms.

Field Configuration
TIN Validation Enable real-time format check
Signature Field Require signer name + date
Attachment Requirement Make schedule uploads mandatory
Routing Route to preparer then taxpayer

Where to File Your Colorado Return

Choose the correct submission path based on filing method and whether a payment is due.

  • Colorado e-File: Submit through authorized e-file provider or Colorado DOR portal
  • Mail a Paper Return: Send signed paper returns to Colorado Department of Revenue address
  • Payments: Pay electronically or include check/money order with paper filing
  • Third-Party Filers: Authorized preparers may e-file on the taxpayer's behalf

Key Filing Deadlines to Watch

Observe federal and state dates to avoid late-filing penalties and interest.

Federal Form 1040 Due:

April 15 - Colorado state return normally follows this deadline

Extension Deadline:

October 15 - Extended returns must be filed by this date

1099-NEC Deadline:

Jan 31 - For reporting nonemployee compensation to recipients

W-2 Delivery:

Jan 31 - Employers must provide W-2s to employees

Estimated Payments:

Quarterly due dates - match federal estimated tax schedule

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Entering mismatched names or SSNs that prevent matching and delay refunds or trigger notices.
  • Failing to report Colorado-source income from partnerships, S corporations, or rental properties.
  • Omitting required Colorado schedules for credits or subtraction adjustments, causing incorrect liability.
  • Missing payment deadlines or underpaying estimated tax, which leads to penalties and interest.

Penalties and Legal Risks of Incorrect Filings

Late Filing Penalty: Interest and penalties assessed by Colorado DOR
Incorrect Information Returns: IRC §6721 penalties may apply to misfiled information returns
Underpayment Penalty: State underpayment interest and potential penalty
Backup Withholding: 24% backup withholding for missing/incorrect TIN
Fraud Findings: Civil penalties and criminal exposure in serious cases
I-9 Noncompliance: Separate employer penalties for employment verification

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Filing

Follow these practices to minimize errors and speed processing.

Use e-File When Possible
E-filing reduces processing time, lowers paper handling errors, and provides immediate acknowledgement from the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Validate TINs and Names
Confirm Social Security Numbers and taxpayer names match federal records to avoid backup withholding and delay.
Attach Required Schedules
Include Colorado schedules for credits, subtractions, and passthrough allocations to prevent return rejections or notices.
Document Payment Methods
Record payment confirmation numbers and method used; keep screenshots or transaction receipts for verification.

Real-World Examples of Digital Document Workflows

Organizations use eSignature and digital workflows to complete tax-related and compliance documents while maintaining auditability.

Optica Ventures LLC

Optica simplified signature collection for tax and investor documents using digital workflows.

  • The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team.
  • The ease extended to customers and sped return-to-client turnaround without compromising compliance or security across mobile and desktop channels.

BIS

BIS prioritized SOC 2 and legal compliance for financial workflows including tax filing authorization.

  • We felt most comfortable with airSlate SignNow given their SOC 2 certification.
  • Strong compliance frameworks helped the company standardize signature capture, maintain audit trails, and reduce manual handling risk.

Technical Requirements for Digital Signing and Submission

Confirm platform compliance options (HIPAA BAA if handling PHI) and audit-trail capabilities before e-submission.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and TIFF supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365 compatibility
  • Security Standards: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 encryption

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Returns

Answers to common questions about filing, signatures, and recordkeeping for Colorado Individual Income Tax Returns.


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