What a TABOR refund is and how to request it online

Colorado's TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) refund is money the state returns to you when tax revenue exceeds the amount the state is allowed to keep under state law. The state holds onto the excess, and Colorado residents can request their share online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website. You do not need to file a separate form — the process happens through your regular tax return or through a specific refund request if you are not filing taxes that year.

The refund amount varies each year depending on how much excess revenue the state collected. You receive your share based on the taxes you paid during that year. The online process takes about 15 minutes and requires your Social Security number, filing status, and basic income information.

Key Takeaways

  • TABOR refunds are issued when Colorado collects more tax revenue than state law allows it to keep, and you can request your share online through the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • If you filed a Colorado tax return for the year in question, your refund is usually processed automatically with your state tax return.
  • If you did not file a Colorado tax return but still owe a refund, you can submit a claim online using your Social Security number and income information.
  • The refund is deposited directly to your bank account if you provided banking information, or mailed as a check if you did not.
  • You have a limited window to request a TABOR refund — typically three years from the original refund date — so checking the Department of Revenue website for current refund years is important.

How to request a TABOR refund if you filed a Colorado tax return

If you filed a Colorado state income tax return for the year the refund was issued, the state processes your refund automatically. You do not need to take any additional steps. The refund appears on your tax return as a line item, and the state sends it to you along with any other refund you are owed or applies it to any taxes you still owe.

To check the status of your refund, go to the Colorado Department of Revenue website and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool tells you whether your refund has been processed and when it will arrive.

How to request a TABOR refund if you did not file a Colorado tax return

If you lived in Colorado during the refund year but did not file a state income tax return, you can still request your TABOR refund online. This situation often happens if your income was below the filing threshold or if you were not required to file for another reason. The state does not automatically know you are may have access to to a refund, so you must submit a claim.

Visit the Colorado Department of Revenue website and look for the TABOR Refund Claim form. You will provide your name, Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household), and your Colorado income for that year. If you had no income, you can still file — the form accepts zero income. Submit the form online, and the state will process your claim within four to six weeks.

What information you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin your online request: your Social Security number, your spouse's Social Security number if you are married filing jointly, your filing status for the year in question, and your total Colorado income for that year. If you filed a tax return, have that return nearby so you can reference the income figures.

If you are requesting a refund for a year you did not file, you will need to calculate your Colorado income yourself. This includes wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, and other income sources. If you are unsure whether you had Colorado income, the Department of Revenue website has a worksheet that walks you through what counts.

Where the refund goes and how long it takes

The state deposits your refund directly to your bank account if you provided banking information on your tax return or claim form. Direct deposit usually arrives within five to seven business days after the state processes your claim. If you did not provide banking information, the state mails a check to your address on file, which takes one to two weeks longer.

Processing times vary depending on how many claims the state receives. If you submitted your claim during tax season (January through April), expect four to six weeks. If you submitted outside tax season, processing may be faster. You can check the status of your claim using the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the Department of Revenue website.

What to do if you cannot find your refund information online

If the "Where's My Refund?" tool does not show your claim or you get an error message, your information may not match what the state has on file. Double-check that you entered your Social Security number correctly, that your filing status matches the year in question, and that your income figure is accurate. Even small differences can cause the tool to reject your search.

If you still cannot locate your information, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue directly. You can call their taxpayer service line during business hours or submit a question through their website contact form. Have your Social Security number, the year of the refund, and any documentation of your Colorado income ready when you reach them.

important date for requesting a TABOR refund

Colorado law sets a important date for requesting TABOR refunds. You generally have three years from the date the refund was originally issued to submit a claim. If you miss this important date, you lose the right to that refund — the state does not extend the important date or allow late claims.

The state announces each year's TABOR refund and the important date through the Department of Revenue website and through news releases. If you are unsure whether a refund year is still open, check the Department of Revenue website or call their office. They can tell you which refund years are still accepting claims and which have closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay taxes on my TABOR refund?

No. TABOR refunds are not considered income, so you do not report them on your federal tax return and they do not affect your federal taxes. Colorado also does not tax the refund itself.

What if I moved out of Colorado after the refund year but before claiming my refund?

You can still request your TABOR refund if you lived in Colorado during the year the refund was issued. You do not have to live there when you claim it. Provide your current address on the claim form, and the state will mail the check or deposit it to your bank account.

Can I request a TABOR refund for multiple years at once?

Yes. If the state issued refunds for more than one year and you have not claimed them, you can submit separate claims for each year through the Department of Revenue website. Each year has its own important date, so check which years are still open before you submit.

What happens if I made a mistake on my claim form?

Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue as soon as you realize the error. If your claim has not been processed yet, they can usually correct it without requiring you to resubmit. If your claim was already processed, they can issue a corrected refund if the error affected the amount you were owed.

Will my TABOR refund affect my benefits or financial aid?

TABOR refunds may count as income for means-tested programs like Medicaid, SNAP, or housing information, depending on the program's rules. If you receive any of these benefits, contact the program administrator before claiming your refund to understand how it might affect your may be able to access.