Extension of Time to File

Filing Extension 

If you cannot file your Colorado income tax return by the deadline, you may take advantage of the state’s automatic six-month extension of time to file. There is no form to fill out to notify the Department of Revenue that you are taking the extension, however, there is no extension for tax due.

If you owe Colorado state income tax, 90% of the tax liability must be paid by April 18th to avoid penalties. Any remaining balance due would be subject to interest only. You need to either pay through Revenue Online or submit your payment with the Extension Payment Form (DR 0158-I). Once you have paid at least 90% of your income tax liability by April 18th, you will have until October 15th to file your Colorado Income Tax Return (DR 0104).

If you expect to get a refund this year, but do not make the filing deadline, you can still file your state income tax on or before October 17th.

Tax Relief for Coloradans Impacted by Boulder County Fires

The Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) understands some taxpayers will be unable to meet Colorado filing and payment deadlines as a result of the recent Marshall Fire. CDOR is offering relief on state-collected taxes to Colorado taxpayers who have been affected by the Marshall Fire. The tax relief measures will mirror IRS measures in the same declared disaster area. 

The Department is offering this relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. The current list of eligible localities is available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

Affected taxpayers will be granted a penalty and interest waiver for:

1. The 2021 4th quarter estimated payment due on January 18, 2022 and the 2022 1st quarter and extension payments due on April 18, 2022. Following the IRS extension, taxpayers will have until May 16, 2022, to make these payments. Colorado offers an automatic extension for filing (October 17); taxpayers do not need to contact the Department if they intend to file by the extension deadline.  

2. The January 20, 2022 deadline for sales tax (monthly, quarterly, or annual) is extended until May 20, 2022. For subsequent sales tax deadlines, affected taxpayers are encouraged to either file zero returns, close a location, or to close their accounts through Revenue Online. Taxpayers are encouraged to use Revenue Online to file sales tax, rather than the Sales and Use Tax System (SUTS), if they plan on asking for a penalty and interest waiver.

3. Withholding deadlines will be waived for any returns and payments due in January until May 16, 2022. In addition, annual reconciliations due by January 31 will be extended to March 31.

4. The Department of Revenue will waive penalty and interest for other taxes and fees on a case by case basis. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the Department at 303-238-7378 to discuss their specific needs.

CDOR is not able to automatically apply these tax deadline waivers so affected taxpayers will need to call the tax information hotline at 303-238-SERV (7378) on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to request penalty and interest relief after they receive a bill. CDOR exemptions do not apply to home-rule jurisdictions who collect their own taxes. Please contact them directly to find out if they have also waived any tax deadlines.

Click here to see the full news release for Boulder County Fire. 

Tax Relief for Tornado Victims

The Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) understands some taxpayers will be unable to meet Colorado filing and payment deadlines as a result of the recent tornadoes in Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee. CDOR is offering relief on state-collected taxes to Colorado taxpayers who have been affected by the tornadoes in those three states, as well as other recent disasters where the IRS extended filing or payment relief. The tax relief measures will mirror IRS measures in the same declared disaster areas. The Department is offering this relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. The current list of eligible localities is available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on December 10, 2021. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until May 16, 2022, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period and are still eligible for any vendor fee that applies. 

CDOR will not be automatically applying this tax deadline waiver. Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located in the covered disaster areas must call the tax information hotline at 303-238-SERV (7378) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to request penalty and interest relief after they receive a bill. CDOR exemptions do not apply to home-rule jurisdictions who collect their own taxes. Please contact them directly to find out if they have also waived any tax deadlines.

Click here to see the full news release for Tornado Victims. 

International Travel Filing Deadlines

If a person is out of the country on the tax filing due date in April, the deadline for filing the state return and paying any tax owed plus interest is June 15. If you need more time to file, you may file by the October 15 extension deadline but interest and penalty will apply. This extension of time to file only applies to the actual return not to funds owed.