Colorado Paycheck Calculator 2026 – Estimate Your Take-Home Pay
Use our free Colorado Paycheck Calculator to estimate your net pay for the 2026 tax year. This tool acts as a Colorado net pay calculator by computing Federal withholding, FICA taxes, and Colorado income tax at the state's flat rate of 4.4%. Because Colorado uses a simple flat tax rather than progressive brackets, calculating your Colorado take home pay is straightforward and predictable.
- State Tax Rate: 4.4% (Flat Rate)
- Federal Tax: 10% – 37% (Progressive)
- Social Security: 6.2%
- Medicare: 1.45%
How the Colorado Paycheck Calculator Works
Our Colorado gross to net calculator uses the latest 2026 tax rules. Unlike states with complex brackets, Colorado simplifies the process. We start with your gross earnings and subtract:
- Federal Withholding: Based on your filing status and IRS brackets.
- FICA Taxes: Mandatory contributions for Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%).
- Colorado State Tax: Calculated at a flat 4.4% rate on your taxable income.
Colorado Income Tax Rate (2026)
Colorado has one of the simplest income tax systems in the country. This makes the Colorado income tax calculator logic highly accurate.
| Filing Status | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Single | 4.4% (Flat) |
| Married Filing Jointly | 4.4% (Flat) |
| Head of Household | 4.4% (Flat) |
Note: While the state tax is flat, some municipalities (like Denver) may have a small occupational privilege tax (OPT), usually a few dollars per month, which is not included in this general estimator.
Federal Taxes That Apply to Your Paycheck
Federal Income Tax
The IRS imposes a progressive tax ranging from 10% to 37%. Your specific rate depends on your filing status and total taxable income.
Social Security & Medicare (FICA)
Every Colorado paystub calculator includes FICA. This deducts 6.2% of your gross pay for Social Security (up to the wage limit) and 1.45% for Medicare (on all earnings). High earners (> $200k) pay an additional 0.9% Medicare tax.
Colorado Paycheck After Taxes for $60,000 Salary
If you are a single filer in Denver or Colorado Springs earning $60,000 per year, your breakdown looks like this:
| Tax Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Tax (Est.) | $5,900 |
| FICA (7.65%) | $4,590 |
| State Tax (4.4%) | $2,640 |
| Estimated Take-Home Pay | $46,870 |
Minimum Wage & Cost of Living
Colorado has a state minimum wage that adjusts annually for inflation and is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage. However, the cost of living, particularly housing in the Front Range area, is higher than the national average.
How to Increase Your Take-Home Pay
To maximize your Colorado salary calculator results, ensure your W-4 form is accurate. Contributing to pre-tax retirement accounts (401k/403b) reduces your taxable income, which lowers both your federal tax and your flat 4.4% state tax liability.
FAQs – Colorado Paycheck Calculator
What is the Colorado state income tax rate?
Colorado uses a flat income tax rate of 4.4% for all income levels and filing statuses for the 2026 tax year.
Does Colorado tax overtime pay?
Yes, overtime pay is taxed at the same flat 4.4% rate as regular wages.
Are there local income taxes in Colorado?
Most areas do not have local income tax. However, cities like Denver, Aurora, and Greenwood Village may levy a small "Occupational Privilege Tax" (head tax) typically ranging from $2 to $6 per month.