Guide to sales tax returns in Colorado

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  1. Introduction
  2. How to find your Colorado return due date
  3. How to prepare your Colorado sales tax return
    1. Home rule cities
  4. How to complete and file a Colorado sales tax return

Every US state creates their own sales tax laws and regulations, and some states have more complex regulations than others. For example, Colorado's regulations can be challenging due to the abundance of home rule cities. Home rule city regulations allow certain cities and jurisdictions to set their own sales tax rules and laws in addition to state laws, further complicating sales tax returns for companies in these cities.

Completing a Colorado sales tax return is a three-step process. Businesses must start by identifying their filing frequency and due dates. They must then prepare the return, before finally filing and remitting the sales tax. Following this process will help you to prepare for and complete your return smoothly and accurately.

What's in this article?

  • How to find your Colorado return due date
  • How to prepare your Colorado sales tax return
  • How to complete and file a Colorado sales tax return

How to find your Colorado return due date

The timing for filing a Colorado return depends on your sales tax liability. You'll be required to file and remit sales tax either monthly, quarterly or annually. Once you register for a Colorado sales tax permit, you'll be assigned a filing frequency. In general, here's how filing frequency is determined in Colorado:

Monthly sales tax collected
Filing frequency
US$15.00 or less Sales tax returns may be filed annually
More than US$15.00 and less than US$300.00 Sales tax returns may be filed quarterly
US$300.00 or more Sales tax returns must be filed monthly

Colorado sales tax returns are always due the 20th day of the month following the reporting period. If the filing due date falls on a weekend or holiday, sales tax is generally due the next business day.

Once you begin filing returns, your filing frequency may change if your average monthly sales tax liability changes. Note that failure to file and remit by these deadlines could result in the following penalties:

  • Late filing penalty: Greater of 10% of tax due plus 0.5% of tax due per month (maximum 18%) or US$15
  • Late payment penalty: Greater of 10% of tax due plus 0.5% of tax due per month (maximum 18%) or US$15

In addition, Colorado requires any business with a sales tax permit to file a sales tax return on their due date, even if there isn't any sales tax to report or pay. If you fail to file, Colorado will levy a late filing penalty – even if you don't owe any sales tax.

How to prepare your Colorado sales tax return

The first step in preparing a return is to collect the sales information for the tax period – this may be a month, a year or a quarter. Filing a sales tax return generally requires the following sales transaction information per jurisdiction:

  • Gross sales
  • Taxable sales by type
  • Non-taxable sales by type
  • Deductions such as delivery charges
  • Total amount of sales taxes collected

Note that if the amount of taxable sales does not reach economic nexus thresholds in Colorado, then a sales tax return might not be required. In addition to meeting economic nexus thresholds, if a business has employees, an office or a warehouse located in Colorado and is selling taxable goods or services, then the business must collect sales taxes on all taxable transactions, file returns and pay the appropriate amount to the state. If no sales were made during a filing period, the business must still file a return for US$0.

Home rule cities

Colorado has over 70 home rule cities. This means that when making a sale to a buyer in a Colorado home rule city, you are required to collect Colorado's statewide rate, any county or special taxing district rates, and the home rule city's rate. This is the same process you would follow if you were collecting sales tax from a buyer whose ship-to destination was not in a home rule city.

The difference comes when it's time to file Colorado sales tax. Colorado's home rule cities require that you individually file and remit the sales tax collected from buyers in those cities to each home rule city.

Thankfully, the state released the Colorado Sales and Use Tax System (SUTS), an online portal through which sales tax filers can file and pay collected sales tax to approximately 40 of Colorado's 70+ home rule cities. While SUTS makes it easier for sellers to file in home rule cities, sellers will still have to file in the remaining home rule cities not enrolled in the SUTS programme. Sellers will also have to register separately for SUTS in addition to registering for a Colorado sales tax permit.

How to complete and file a Colorado sales tax return

The final step to completing a sales tax return in Colorado is to file and remit tax. The Colorado Department of Revenue website outlines the multiple ways businesses can file and remit sales tax, including online and physical post options.

Colorado requires any business with a sales tax permit to file a sales tax return on its due date, even if it doesn't have any sales tax to report or pay. If a business fails to file, Colorado will levy a late filing penalty, even if the business doesn't owe any sales tax.

The content in this article is for general information and education purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Stripe does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or currency of the information in the article. You should seek the advice of a competent lawyer or accountant licensed to practise in your jurisdiction for advice on your particular situation.

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