What's included
Tax preparation is more than typing numbers into software. It's making sure every deduction you're entitled to shows up, nothing you'll regret later does, and the federal and Colorado returns agree with each other.
- Individual returns (Form 1040 and Colorado DR 0104), including W-2, 1099, rental and investment income
- Self-employed and gig income, with Schedule C and estimated payments set up for next year
- Business returns for LLCs, partnerships, S-corporations and C-corporations
- Extensions, amended returns and prior-year returns
- Part-year and multi-state filings for people who moved, or businesses that sell across state lines
How Colorado returns work
Colorado starts from your federal taxable income, then adds or subtracts a short list of state adjustments, and applies a single flat income tax rate. That makes the federal return the foundation: if it's wrong, the Colorado return is wrong too.
Colorado also has rules most software users miss, such as the state's own credits and subtractions, and TABOR refunds in years the state collects more revenue than its constitution allows it to keep. Rates and credits can change from year to year, so the Colorado Department of Revenue is the final word.
What to bring
| If you have… | Bring |
|---|---|
| A job | W-2s from every employer |
| Side or business income | 1099s, income totals, expense records or your bookkeeping reports |
| A home | Mortgage interest (Form 1098) and property tax statements |
| Investments | Brokerage 1099s, crypto transaction history |
| Kids or dependents | Childcare costs and the provider's tax ID |
| Last year's return | A copy, if you have it. It speeds everything up. |
Why people hand it off
Most people don't switch to a CPA because they enjoy paperwork less. They switch because something changed: a business started, a house was bought, an inheritance came in, or a letter from the IRS showed up. Those are exactly the years when a professional pays for themselves.
Questions people ask
When are Colorado individual returns due?
Colorado individual income tax returns follow the federal deadline, usually April 15. If it falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
Does Colorado have an automatic extension?
Yes. Colorado grants an automatic six-month extension to file. It is not an extension to pay, so estimate and pay what you owe by the original deadline to limit penalties and interest.
Can you file returns from prior years?
Yes. Prior-year and amended returns are a normal part of tax preparation, and they're often the first step in getting current with the IRS.
What if I moved to or from Colorado during the year?
You'll likely file a part-year resident Colorado return and possibly a return in your other state. A CPA makes sure income is split correctly so you aren't taxed twice.