How Colorado paycheck taxes work
- Colorado income tax: a flat 4.4% rate for 2026.
- Before tax, Colorado subtracts the federal standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household).
- State payroll deductions: Colorado FAMLI 0.44% up to $184,500.
- Colorado taxes your federal taxable income at a flat 4.4%, so it uses the federal standard deduction.
- Colorado's FAMLI paid leave premium is 0.88% of wages in 2026. Employers can deduct up to half (0.44%) from your pay, on wages up to $184,500.
Colorado income tax rates for 2026
Colorado has a flat 4.4% rate on taxable income for every filing status.
How your take-home pay is calculated
Take-home = Gross pay − 401(k) − health − HSA − federal income tax − Social Security − Medicare − Colorado income tax − state payroll − local tax
Federal income tax uses the 2026 brackets and standard deduction. Social Security is 6.2% of pay up to $184,500 a year; Medicare is 1.45% of all pay plus 0.9% above $200,000. Pre-tax health and HSA payroll deductions lower all of these; 401(k) lowers income tax only.
Colorado take-home pay examples
Single filer, paid every two weeks, no 401(k) or other pre-tax deductions, no local tax:
| Salary | Federal tax | Social Security + Medicare | State income tax | State payroll | Take-home a year | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820.00 | $3,825.00 | $1,491.60 | $220.00 | $40,643.40 | $1,563.21 |
| $75,000 | $7,670.00 | $5,737.50 | $2,591.60 | $330.00 | $58,670.90 | $2,256.57 |
| $100,000 | $13,170.00 | $7,650.00 | $3,691.60 | $440.00 | $75,048.40 | $2,886.48 |
Worked example, $75,000 salary:
- Federal: $75,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $58,900 taxable. Tax = $1,240 + $4,560 + 22% × $8,500 = $7,670.00.
- Social Security 6.2% = $4,650.00. Medicare 1.45% = $1,087.50.
- Colorado taxable income $58,900.00, Colorado income tax $2,591.60.
- Colorado FAMLI: $330.00.
- Take-home: $58,670.90 a year, or $2,256.57 every two weeks. That's 21.8% of pay in taxes.
What this calculator simplifies
- Tax is worked out for the whole year and spread evenly over your paychecks. Employers use withholding tables, so a real check can differ by a few dollars; you settle the difference when you file.
- Federal tax uses the 2026 standard deduction only. Dependents, itemized deductions and the new tips, overtime and senior deductions aren't included (W-4 Step 3 credits can be entered under More options).
- State tax covers a typical W-2 employee who lives and works in the state. State credits for dependents, renters, earned income and similar aren't included.
- State payroll deductions use your wages after pre-tax health and HSA (the same pay Social Security uses).
Compare states on the paycheck calculator by state, or see federal tax bracket by bracket in the income tax calculator.
Sources
- Colorado FAMLI: premium and benefits calculator
- Tax Foundation: State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026
- IRS IR-2025-103: 2026 tax inflation adjustments
- SSA contribution and benefit base ($184,500 for 2026)
- IRS Topic 560, Additional Medicare Tax
State figures: 2026. Last reviewed October 2026.