C.R.S. Section 39-22-123.5
Earned income tax credit

  • not a refund of excess state revenues
  • trigger
  • legislative declaration
  • repeal

(1)

The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(a)

The federal earned income tax credit is a refundable tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families whose earnings are below an income threshold;

(b)

The amount of the credit increases with income until the credit reaches a maximum level and then phases out, and this structure creates an incentive for people to work and earn more income;

(c)

Since its establishment in 1975, the credit has increased family income, reduced child poverty, and promoted employment by supplementing the earnings of low-wage workers, including military families;

(d)

The credit has a positive impact on the education and health of children living in poverty;

(e)

The credit has a positive economic impact on local economies and businesses because it puts more money in the hands of low- and middle-income working people who spend the money on immediate needs, such as groceries, school supplies, car repairs, rent, and health care;

(f)

The Colorado earned income tax credit created in section 39-22-123 is ten percent of the federal earned income tax credit, but it is a mechanism to refund excess state revenues as required by section 20 of article X of the state constitution;

(g)

This existing credit has not been in effect since 2001 because the refund has not been triggered; and

(h)

Now, therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly to establish a permanent and refundable state earned income tax credit for eligible Colorado taxpayers. The intended purpose of this credit is to help individuals and families achieve greater financial security and to help Colorado’s economy.
(2)(a)(I) For an income tax year commencing prior to January 1, 2022, a resident individual who claims an earned income tax credit on the individual’s federal tax return is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to ten percent of the federal credit that the resident individual claimed on his or her federal tax return for the same tax year.

(II)

This subsection (2)(a) is repealed, effective December 31, 2032.

(b)

For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2022, but before January 1, 2023, and income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, a resident individual who claims an earned income tax credit on the individual’s federal tax return is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to twenty percent of the federal credit that the resident individual claimed on his or her federal tax return for the same tax year.

(c)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2023, but before January 1, 2024, and for the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, a resident individual who claims an earned income tax credit on the individual’s federal tax return is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to twenty-five percent of the federal credit that the resident individual claimed on his or her federal tax return for the same tax year.

(II)

This subsection (2)(c) is repealed, effective December 31, 2034.

(d)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

For the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2024, a resident individual who claims an earned income tax credit on the individual’s federal tax return is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to thirty-eight percent of the federal credit that the resident individual claimed on his or her federal tax return for the same tax year.

(II)

This subsection (2)(d) is repealed, effective December 31, 2034.
(2.5)(a)(I) For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2020, but before January 1, 2022, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to ten percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed, but for the fact that the resident individual, the resident individual’s spouse, or one or more of the resident individual’s dependents do not have a social security number that is valid for employment.

(II)

This subsection (2.5)(a) is repealed, effective December 31, 2032.

(b)

For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2022, but before January 1, 2023, and income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to twenty percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed, but for the fact that the resident individual, the resident individual’s spouse, or one or more of the resident individual’s dependents do not have a social security number that is valid for employment.

(c)

Repealed.

(d)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2023, but before January 1, 2024, and for the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to twenty-five percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed, but for the fact that the resident individual, the resident individual’s spouse, or one or more of the resident individual’s dependents do not have a social security number that is valid for employment.

(II)

This subsection (2.5)(d) is repealed, effective December 31, 2034.

(e)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

For the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2024, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to thirty-eight percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed, but for the fact that the resident individual, the resident individual’s spouse, or one or more of the resident individual’s dependents do not have a social security number that is valid for employment.

(II)

This subsection (2.5)(e) is repealed, effective December 31, 2034.

(2.7)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2022, but before January 1, 2023, and income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to twenty percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed under section 32 (n)(1) of the internal revenue code, notwithstanding the date limitation set forth in section 32 (n) of the internal revenue code as specified in section 9621 (a) of the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, Pub.L. 117-2.

(b)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2023, but before January 1, 2024, and for the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to twenty-five percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed under section 32 (n)(1) of the internal revenue code, notwithstanding the date limitation set forth in section 32 (n) of the internal revenue code as specified in section 9621 (a) of the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, Pub.L. 117-2.

(II)

This subsection (2.7)(b) is repealed, effective December 31, 2034.

(c)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

For the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2024, a resident individual is allowed an earned income tax credit against the taxes due under this article 22 that is equal to thirty-eight percent of the federal credit that the resident individual would have been allowed under section 32 (n)(1) of the internal revenue code, notwithstanding the date limitation set forth in section 32 (n) of the internal revenue code as specified in section 9621 (a) of the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, Pub.L. 117-2.

(II)

This subsection (2.7)(c) is repealed, effective December 31, 2034.

(3)

Repealed.

(4)

The amount of the credit allowed under this section that exceeds the resident individual’s income taxes due is refunded to the individual.

(5)

In the case of a part-year resident, the credit allowed under this section is apportioned in the ratio determined under section 39-22-110 (1).

(6)

The credit allowed under this section is not considered to be income or resources for the purpose of determining eligibility for the payment of public assistance benefits and medical assistance benefits authorized under state law or for a payment made under any other publicly funded programs.

Source: Section 39-22-123.5 — Earned income tax credit - not a refund of excess state revenues - trigger - legislative declaration - repeal, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-39.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

39‑22‑101
Short title 39‑22‑102
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑103
Definitions - construction of terms 39‑22‑104
Income tax imposed on individuals, estates, and trusts - single rate - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑104.5
Pretax payments - catastrophic health insurance 39‑22‑104.6
Pretax payments - medical savings accounts 39‑22‑105
Alternative minimum tax 39‑22‑106
Colorado personal exemptions of a resident individual 39‑22‑107
Income tax filing status 39‑22‑107.5
Income tax filing status - innocent spouse relief 39‑22‑108
Credit for tax paid other states 39‑22‑108.5
Dual resident trusts - income tax calculation 39‑22‑109
Income of a nonresident individual for purposes of Colorado income tax 39‑22‑110
Apportionment of tax in the case of a part-year resident 39‑22‑110.5
Reacquisition of residency during active duty military service 39‑22‑111
Accounting periods and methods 39‑22‑112
Persons and organizations exempt from tax under this article 39‑22‑114.5
Tax credit for investment in technologies for recycling plastics - repeal 39‑22‑116
Tax tables for individuals 39‑22‑119
Expenses related to child care - credits against state tax 39‑22‑119.5
Child care expenses tax credit - legislative declaration - definitions 39‑22‑120
Legislative declaration - state sales tax refund - offset against state income tax 39‑22‑121
Credit for child care facilities - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑122
Long-term care insurance credit 39‑22‑123
Earned income tax credit - refund of state excess revenues for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 1998 39‑22‑123.5
Earned income tax credit - not a refund of excess state revenues - trigger - legislative declaration - repeal 39‑22‑129
Child tax credit - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑201
Partners, not partnership, subject to tax 39‑22‑202
Resident partners - definition 39‑22‑203
Nonresident partners 39‑22‑204
Accounting periods and methods 39‑22‑206
Foreign source income of export taxpayers 39‑22‑300.1
Short title - citation 39‑22‑301
Corporate tax imposed - repeal 39‑22‑302
S corporations 39‑22‑303
Dividends in a combined report - foreign source income - affiliated groups - definitions 39‑22‑303.1
Interstate banking or branching - nondiscriminatory tax treatment 39‑22‑303.5
Single-factor apportionment of business income - allocation of nonbusiness income - rules - definitions 39‑22‑303.6
Market-based apportionment of the income of a taxpayer engaged in business - allocation of nonapportionable income - rules - definitions 39‑22‑303.7
Sourcing of sales of mutual fund service corporations - definitions 39‑22‑303.9
Apportionment of the income of a taxpayer with enterprise data center operations in the state - definitions 39‑22‑304
Net income of corporation - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑305
Consolidated returns 39‑22‑306
Accounting periods and methods 39‑22‑308
Credit allowed for purchase of Colorado coal 39‑22‑310
Legislative declaration - statutory interpretation and construction 39‑22‑320
Short title - citation 39‑22‑321
Definitions 39‑22‑322
Taxation of an S corporation and its shareholders 39‑22‑323
Modification and characterization of income 39‑22‑324
Basis and adjustments 39‑22‑325
Carryforwards and carrybacks - loss limitation 39‑22‑326
Part-year residence 39‑22‑327
Distributions 39‑22‑328
Returns - repeal 39‑22‑329
Tax credits 39‑22‑330
Uniformity of application and construction 39‑22‑340
Short title - citation 39‑22‑341
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑342
Definitions 39‑22‑343
Election 39‑22‑344
Imposition of tax 39‑22‑345
Owner exclusion 39‑22‑346
Credit for tax paid in other states 39‑22‑347
Credit for electing pass-through entity owner - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration 39‑22‑401
Income of a resident estate or trust for purposes of Colorado income tax 39‑22‑402
Share of a resident estate, trust, or beneficiary in Colorado fiduciary adjustments 39‑22‑403
Income of a nonresident estate or trust subject to income tax 39‑22‑404
Share of a nonresident estate, trust, or beneficiary in income from sources within Colorado 39‑22‑407
Accounting periods and methods 39‑22‑501
Taxation of regulated investment companies 39‑22‑503
Taxation of real estate investment trusts - definitions 39‑22‑504
Net operating losses 39‑22‑504.5
Short title 39‑22‑504.6
Definitions 39‑22‑504.7
Medical savings accounts - establishment - contributions - distributions - restrictions - taxation - portability 39‑22‑507.5
Credits against tax - investment in certain property - repeal 39‑22‑507.6
Credits against corporate tax - investment in certain property - repeal 39‑22‑509
Credit against tax - employer expenditures for alternative transportation options for employees - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑514
Tax credit for qualified costs incurred in preservation of historic properties 39‑22‑514.5
Tax credit for qualified costs incurred in preservation of historic structures - short title - definitions 39‑22‑516.7
Tax credit for innovative motor vehicles - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑516.8
Tax credit for innovative trucks - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑517
Tax credit for child care center investments 39‑22‑518
Tax modification for net capital gains - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑520
Credit against tax - investment in school-to-career program - definitions 39‑22‑521
Credits against tax - employer expenses - public assistance recipients 39‑22‑522
Credit against tax - conservation easements - definition 39‑22‑522.5
Conservation easement tax credits - dispute resolution - legislative declaration 39‑22‑526
Credit for environmental remediation of contaminated land - legislative declaration - definition - repeal 39‑22‑529
Business expense deduction - labor services - unauthorized alien - definitions 39‑22‑531
Colorado job growth incentive tax credit - rules - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑532
Advanced industry investment tax credit - definitions 39‑22‑533
Instream flow incentive tax credit for water rights holders - rules - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑535
Credit for purchase of uniquely valuable motor vehicle registration numbers 39‑22‑536
Credit for food contributed to hunger-relief charitable organizations - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑537.5
Credit for personal property taxes paid - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑538
Credit for health-care preceptors working in health professional shortage areas - legislative declaration - definitions 39‑22‑539
Credit for employer contributions to employee 529 qualified state tuition programs - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑540
Credit - organ donor - leave of absence period - legislative declaration - definitions 39‑22‑541
Credit for retrofitting a residence to increase a residence’s visitability - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑542
Tax credit for conversion costs for employee business ownership - definitions - declaration - repeal 39‑22‑543
Credit for wildfire hazard mitigation expenses - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑544
Credit against tax - qualifying seniors - creation - legislative declaration - definitions 39‑22‑545
Credit against tax - heat pump systems - heat pump water heaters - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑546
Credit against tax - residential energy storage systems - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definition - repeal 39‑22‑547
Early childhood educator income tax credit - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑548
Colorado homeless contribution tax credit - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑549
Credit against tax - small food business recovery and resilience grant program equipment - community food consortium duties and responsibilities - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑550
Tax credit for reducing emissions from certain lawn equipment - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definitions - report - repeal 39‑22‑551
Industrial clean energy tax credit - tax preference performance statement - definitions - report - repeal 39‑22‑552
Tax credit for expenditures made in connection with a geothermal energy project - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑553
Geothermal electricity generation production tax credit - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑554
Heat pump technology and thermal energy network tax credit - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑555
Electric bicycle tax credit - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑556
Tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel production facility - tax preference performance statement - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑557
Clean hydrogen tax credit - qualified uses - tax preference performance statement - definitions - legislative declaration - repeal 39‑22‑558
Tax credit for employer’s contribution to employee for eligible expenses in connection with a qualifying home purchase - tax preference performance statement - legislative declaration - definitions 39‑22‑559
Film incentive tax credit - tax preference performance statement - review - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑601
Returns - repeal 39‑22‑601.5
Reporting federal adjustments - definitions 39‑22‑602
Failure to make return - director may make 39‑22‑603
Returns not made under oath 39‑22‑603.5
Frivolous returns 39‑22‑604
Withholding tax - requirement to withhold - tax lien - exemption from lien - annual statement - notice - definitions 39‑22‑604.3
Innovation reinvestment - withholding - transfers - bioscience - clean technology - short title - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑604.5
Withholding tax - transfers of Colorado real property - nonresident transferors 39‑22‑605
Failure by individual to pay estimated income tax 39‑22‑606
Failure by corporation to pay estimated income tax 39‑22‑607
Estimated tax deposited with treasurer 39‑22‑608
Form, place, and date of filing return - extension - electronic filing 39‑22‑609
Payment of tax - applicable when 39‑22‑610
Relief for members of the armed forces of the United States - when 39‑22‑611
Property exempt from ad valorem taxes 39‑22‑621
Interest and penalties 39‑22‑622
Refunds 39‑22‑623
Disposition of collections - definition 39‑22‑624
Prior rights and liabilities not affected 39‑22‑625
Application of article - effective date 39‑22‑626
Applicability of amendments to this article to income tax years 39‑22‑627
Temporary adjustment of rate of income tax - refund of excess state revenues - authority of executive director 39‑22‑628
Direct deposit of refund to collegeinvest savings accounts - modification of individual income tax return forms - legislative declaration - definition 39‑22‑629
Advance payments of income tax credits - definitions 39‑22‑651
Short title - citation 39‑22‑652
Definitions 39‑22‑653
Taxpayer disclosure of reportable or listed transactions 39‑22‑654
Additional listed transactions - report 39‑22‑655
Penalty for failure to disclose a reportable or listed transaction 39‑22‑656
Material advisor - disclosure of reportable or listed transactions 39‑22‑657
Material advisor - maintenance of list 39‑22‑658
Material advisor - penalties 39‑22‑659
Waiver, reduction, or compromise of penalty for reasonable cause 39‑22‑701
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑702
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑703
Contributions credited to Colorado nongame conservation and wildlife restoration cash fund - administration - transfer 39‑22‑704
Repeal of part 39‑22‑801
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑802
Contributions credited to Colorado domestic abuse program fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑803
Repeal of part 39‑22‑1001
Limitations on voluntary contribution programs - queue - notice - reestablishment of certain programs 39‑22‑1301
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑1302
Contributions credited to homeless prevention activities program fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑1801
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑1802
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑1803
Contributions credited to the Special Olympics Colorado fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑1804
Repeal of part 39‑22‑1901
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑1902
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑1903
Contributions credited to the fund - appropriation 39‑22‑2001
Legislative declaration - revenues exceeding TABOR limit - sales tax refund 39‑22‑2002
Fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 1998 - state sales tax refund - authority of executive director - repeal 39‑22‑2003
State sales tax refund - offset against state income tax - qualified individuals 39‑22‑2004
Temporary refund of excess state revenues from all sources - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑2005
Refund of excess state revenues from all sources - definitions - repeal 39‑22‑2101
Definitions 39‑22‑2102
Credit against tax - affordable housing developments - legislative declaration 39‑22‑2103
Recapture 39‑22‑2104
Filing requirements 39‑22‑2105
Parallel credits - insurance premium taxes 39‑22‑2106
Rules 39‑22‑2107
Compliance monitoring 39‑22‑2108
Report to the general assembly 39‑22‑2201
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑2202
Contributions credited to the fund - administration - transfer 39‑22‑2203
Repeal of part 39‑22‑2401
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑2402
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑2403
Contributions credited to Colorado healthy rivers fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑2404
Repeal of part 39‑22‑2901
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑2902
Contributions credited to the Alzheimer’s Association fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑2903
Repeal of part 39‑22‑3001
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑3002
Contributions credited to the military family relief fund - appropriation 39‑22‑3003
Repeal of part 39‑22‑3301
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑3302
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑3303
Contributions credited to the Colorado cancer fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑3304
Repeal of part 39‑22‑3601
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑3602
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑3603
Contributions credited to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑3604
Repeal of part 39‑22‑3801
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑3802
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure 39‑22‑3803
Contributions credited to the unwanted horse fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑3804
Repeal of part 39‑22‑4301
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4302
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑4303
Contributions credited to the American Red Cross Colorado disaster response, readiness, and preparedness fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑4304
Repeal of part 39‑22‑4401
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4402
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑4403
Contributions credited to the Colorado for Healthy Landscapes fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑4404
Repeal of part 39‑22‑4501
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4502
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑4503
Contributions credited to the Habitat for Humanity of Colorado fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑4504
Repeal of part 39‑22‑4601
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4602
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑4603
Contributions credited to the Colorado Youth Conservation Corps fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑4604
Repeal of part 39‑22‑4701
Short title 39‑22‑4702
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4703
Definitions 39‑22‑4704
First-time home buyer savings account 39‑22‑4705
Eligible expenses - penalties for other uses 39‑22‑4706
Forms 39‑22‑4707
Financial institutions 39‑22‑4801
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4802
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑4803
Contributions credited to the Urban Peak Housing and Support Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑4804
Repeal of part 39‑22‑4901
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑4902
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑4903
Contributions credited to the family caregiver support fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑4904
Repeal of part 39‑22‑5001
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑5002
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑5003
Contributions credited to the Young Americans Center for Financial Education fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑5004
Repeal of part 39‑22‑5101
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑5102
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑5103
List of eligible charitable organizations 39‑22‑5104
Contributions credited to the donate to a Colorado nonprofit fund - creation - appropriation - distribution 39‑22‑5105
Initial funding 39‑22‑5201
Definitions 39‑22‑5202
Uninsured designation - required forms - rules 39‑22‑5301
Legislative declaration 39‑22‑5302
Voluntary contribution designation - procedure - effective date 39‑22‑5303
Contributions credited to Feeding Colorado fund - creation - appropriation 39‑22‑5304
Repeal of part
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 39-22-123.5’s source at colorado​.gov