Colorado TABOR Tax Refund 2025: Who Qualifies, How Much You’ll Get, and When to Expect It

Every year, Colorado taxpayers benefit from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), which requires the state to refund excess revenue back to residents when tax collections exceed a set limit. For the 2025 tax season, Colorado is issuing TABOR refunds based on the 2024 fiscal surplus, and thousands of residents have already started receiving their payments.

Unlike previous programs like the Colorado Cash Back in 2022, this year’s TABOR refund is not sent as a separate check. Instead, it’s included in your state tax refund when you file your 2024 tax return. Whether you’re filing now or requesting an extension until October, understanding how much you’ll get and when you’ll get it is key to managing your finances.

Let’s break down who qualifies, how much you may receive, and the steps you need to follow to claim your Colorado TABOR refund.

Who Qualifies for the TABOR 2025 Refund?

To qualify, you must:

Be a Colorado resident during the 2024 tax year.
File a 2024 Colorado state tax return (Form DR 0104), or a Property Tax/Rent/Heat (PTC) Rebate application if you’re a low-income renter or senior.
Submit your return by the deadline: April 15, 2025, or October 15 if an extension is granted.
Use a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Note:

If you are a low-income non-filer, you can still receive the refund by completing the PTC application before June 30, 2025.

How Much Is the TABOR Refund in 2025?

The refund amount depends on two things:

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Filing status (single or married filing jointly)

Here are the TABOR refund amounts by AGI brackets, based on official Colorado Department of Revenue data released in October 2024:

For Single Filers:

$0–$53,000: $177
$53,001–$105,000: $240
$105,001–$166,000: $277
$166,001–$233,000: $323
$233,001–$302,000: $350
Above $302,000: $565

For Married Couples Filing Jointly:

$0–$53,000: $354
$53,001–$105,000: $480
$105,001–$166,000: $554
$166,001–$233,000: $646
$233,001–$302,000: $700
Above $302,000: $1,130

These payments are automatically added to your state tax refund—there’s no need to apply separately if you’re filing a regular return.

Colorado TABOR Tax Refund 2025: Who Qualifies, How Much You’ll Get, and When to Expect It — Source (Google.com)

How and When Will You Get the Payment?

Payments are issued after your 2024 tax return is processed. You can receive your refund by:

Direct deposit, if selected during filing, or
Paper check, if you opted for mailed delivery.

To track your refund:

Visit Revenue Online at the Colorado Department of Revenue portal.
Use your Social Security Number or ITIN and refund amount to check your status.

Processing Time:

For most returns: 6–8 weeks after filing.
For PTC applications: Also 6–8 weeks, if submitted before the June 30 deadline.

If you file your taxes after April 15 but before October 15, you’ll still receive your TABOR refund once your return is accepted—but late filings can lead to penalties, so file early if possible.

What Should You Do With the TABOR Refund?

The Colorado Legislative Analysis Office expects this year’s TABOR rebates to inject $1.2 billion into the state’s economy. According to a Rocky Mountain PBS survey, residents plan to use their refunds in the following ways: