Colorado Form 104 Instructions

Colorado’s Form 104 is the personal individual tax form for those who earn an income in the state. And you must fill out the form even if you are neither a full-time nor part-time resident. Therefore, it helps to understand what you need to do if you have some income whose source is in Colorado.

The attached Form 104 you complete will vary. Part-time residents and non-residents must also complete Form 104PN. But everyone must complete the regular Form 104.

However, you need to remember the additional Form 104s, depending on what kind of taxes you will be paying. For example, anyone paying estimated taxes should fill out Form 104 EP. And those paying the alternative minimum tax must also have Form 104AMT. On the other hand, those making amendments to their taxes need to file Form 104X.

Generally, Colorado’s individual tax returns are relatively easy to complete due to the state’s simplified tax structure. So, it should not be difficult for you to file your state returns provided you follow the instructions on the Colorado individual income tax guide to the letter.

Below are the tips you can implement when filing Form 104​.​

First, gather all the relevant supporting documents, which may include Forms 1040, W-2 and 1099, among others. Also, get Form 104.

Start by defining your residency status. Remember, if you are not a full-time resident, you also have to complete Form 104PN. And if you will be abroad by the tax due date, ensure you follow the specified instructions.

Ensure you include your official name, date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). When filing a joint return, your spouse’s name, mailing address and date of birth must also be included.

If you intend to claim a tax refund for a loved one who passed away, you must check that option and provide Form 102 and the deceased’s death certificate. Otherwise, leave the section blank.

If you are interested in reduced-cost healthcare coverage, you must check the option if you meet the specified criteria. And using the information in your Form 1040 or 1040-SR, complete the first section of your Colorado individual tax return according to the instructions given.

Next, follow the Colorado DR 0104 AD instructions to complete the next section, which involves filling in information about subtractions to the income. By doing so, you will reduce your federal taxable income. Ensure you attach the Form DR 0104 AD to your Form 104 once you include the correct values in the specified lines.

To complete the third section, Tax, Prepayments and Credits, you must carefully follow the instructions in the Colorado individual income tax guide for Form 104. In this section, you may need to provide information from forms 104PN, 104AMT, 104CR, W-2 and 1099, among others, to calculate your overall prepayments, tax due and credits due to you.

Your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is relevant for sections four and five of your Form 104. You will need to use it to determine your TABOR credit and the Colorado State Sales Tax Refund.

It is also in the fifth section that you can instruct the state tax agency where to channel your refunds via direct deposit. For example, you could select the CollegeInvest 529 option to save more for college for you or your loved ones. The Colorado 529 contribution deadline is usually on ​December 31​, so you are likely to enjoy tax deductions if you file on time.

You can also determine whether you owe tax penalties in the fifth section of Form 104. If that is the case, you would also need to submit Form DR 0204.

The third-party designee section is the sixth section of Colorado’s individual tax return. If you intend to allow a third party to be privy to your tax information, you can check that option and include the designee’s name and phone number.

Once you have filled the six sections, you need to sign the form. If your return is filed as a joint return, your spouse must also sign. And if you have assigned a tax preparer, the professional must include their name, address, phone number and signature as well.

When you have completed the form, review it to ensure it is accurate and then mail it to the specified Colorado Department of Revenue address, depending on whether you include a check or not. You can also file it online through the state's department of revenue website or a third-party provider.