The 2024 TABOR refund amount depends on your state and tax year, because TABOR rules differ by state and refund timing varies

TABOR stands for Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a constitutional limit on how much tax revenue states can keep. When a state collects more than the TABOR cap allows, it must return the excess to taxpayers. The 2024 refund is not a fixed dollar amount — it depends on which state you live in, your income level in some cases, and whether you filed taxes in that state for the year being refunded.

Colorado, which has the oldest and most active TABOR law, issued refunds in 2024 for tax year 2023. Other states with TABOR provisions — including Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina — may also issue refunds in 2024, but the timing and amounts vary. Some states refund only in certain years when revenue exceeds the cap by a specific threshold.

The refund you receive is calculated as a percentage of the taxes you paid, not a flat check to every resident. A state divides the total surplus by the number of tax returns filed, or sometimes by the number of residents, depending on state law. Your share depends on how much you contributed to that surplus through your state income tax payments.

Key Takeaways

  • TABOR refunds are not the same amount for everyone — your refund depends on your state's surplus, your tax liability, and how that state's TABOR law calculates the distribution.
  • Colorado typically refunds a percentage of state income tax paid, while other TABOR states use different formulas, so you must check your specific state's rules.
  • The 2024 refund year covers different tax years depending on the state — Colorado refunded 2023 taxes in 2024, but other states may be on different schedules.
  • You receive a TABOR refund only if you filed a tax return in that state for the year being refunded; non-filers and out-of-state residents do not receive one.
  • Your state revenue department or tax website will post the refund amount and payment method once the surplus is certified and the calculation is complete.

How Colorado calculates its 2024 TABOR refund

Colorado's 2024 refund, issued in the fall of 2024, covered tax year 2023. The state calculated the refund by taking the total surplus above the TABOR cap and dividing it by the number of Colorado tax returns filed for that year. Each filer then received a refund equal to their share of the state income tax they paid, multiplied by the refund percentage.

Colorado's Department of Revenue announced the refund percentage in advance — for the 2023 tax year refund, the state published the exact percentage filers would receive back. If you filed a Colorado return for 2023, you could calculate your approximate refund by taking your state income tax liability and multiplying it by that percentage. The actual refund was then issued either as a direct deposit to the bank account on file with your return, or as a paper check mailed to your address.

Colorado residents who did not file a return for 2023 did not receive a refund, even if they lived in the state and paid sales tax or property tax. TABOR refunds are based on income tax filings, not residency.

TABOR refund amounts in other states

Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina each have TABOR or similar revenue-limit laws, but they calculate and distribute refunds differently from Colorado. Georgia, for example, has issued refunds in some years by reducing the state income tax rate rather than sending direct payments to filers. Missouri's TABOR law triggers a refund only when revenue exceeds the cap by a specific margin, which happens less frequently.

Oklahoma and South Carolina have TABOR provisions that may result in refunds, but the timing and method depend on the state legislature's decisions about how to handle the surplus. Some states allow the legislature to spend the surplus on one-time expenses or to adjust tax rates, rather than issuing refunds to individual filers.

To find out whether your state issued a TABOR refund in 2024 and what amount you may have received, contact your state's revenue or tax department directly. Their website will list any refunds issued, the calculation method, and the payment status.

When TABOR refunds are paid and how to track yours

TABOR refunds are not issued on a set schedule. Colorado typically announces its refund in the summer or early fall of the year after the tax year ends, then begins issuing payments in the fall. The state processes refunds in batches — direct deposits usually arrive first, followed by paper checks mailed to filers who did not provide banking information.

If you filed a Colorado return for 2023 and received a refund in 2024, you can check the status on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. The site allows you to enter your Social Security number and date of birth to see whether your refund has been processed and when it was paid. If you received a direct deposit, the money should appear in your bank account within one to two weeks of the payment date shown on the website. Paper checks typically arrive within two to three weeks of the mailing date.

For other TABOR states, check your state revenue department's website for refund status tools. Not all states offer online tracking, so you may need to call the department or check your mail for a refund notice that includes the payment date and amount.

What to do if you do not receive your TABOR refund

If you filed a state return for the tax year being refunded and you do not receive your refund within the expected timeframe, contact your state revenue department. Have your Social Security number, the tax year in question, and your filing status ready. The department can tell you whether your refund was processed, when it was paid, and where it was sent.

If your refund was issued as a direct deposit but did not arrive in your bank account, the problem may be outdated banking information on file with your tax return. The state may have attempted to deposit the refund to a closed account or an account you no longer use. In that case, the state typically holds the refund and issues it as a paper check instead, which can take several additional weeks. Contact the revenue department to confirm your current banking information and request a reissue if needed.

If you moved between filing your return and receiving the refund, your paper check may have been returned to the state as undeliverable. Update your address with the revenue department and request a refund reissue to your current address. Some states allow you to claim an unclaimed refund through their unclaimed property program if it goes unclaimed for a set period, usually three to five years.

TABOR refunds and your tax filing status

You do not need to report a TABOR refund as income on your federal tax return. TABOR refunds are considered a return of taxes you already paid, not new income. The IRS does not tax refunds of state income tax that you already deducted on a prior federal return, so you have no federal tax liability on a TABOR refund.

Some states may ask you to report the refund on your state return for the year you receive it, depending on how that state treats TABOR refunds. Check your state's tax instructions or contact the revenue department to confirm whether you need to report the refund on your next return. In most cases, the answer is no — the refund is a separate transaction from your tax liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a TABOR refund if I moved out of state after filing?

Yes, as long as you filed a return in that state for the tax year being refunded. Your refund will be mailed to the address on file with your return or deposited to the bank account you provided. Update your address with the state revenue department if you moved, so your refund reaches you.

What if I filed jointly with my spouse — do we each get a refund or one combined check?

Most states issue one refund per tax return, not per person. If you filed jointly, you receive one check or deposit for the combined refund amount. You and your spouse can then divide it as you choose. Some states allow you to request that the refund be split between two bank accounts if you provide both account numbers when you file.

Do I have to do anything to receive my TABOR refund, or is it automatic?

TABOR refunds are automatic if you filed a return. You do not need to take any action or submit a separate request. The state calculates your share and issues it based on the information on your tax return. If you did not file a return, you will not receive a refund.

Is a TABOR refund the same as a tax refund from overpaying my taxes?

No. A TABOR refund is a return of surplus state revenue that exceeds the constitutional cap, divided among all filers. A tax refund is money you overpaid in taxes during the year and get back when you file. You can receive both in the same year — they are separate payments.

How do I know if my state has TABOR and whether a refund is coming?

Check your state revenue or tax department website for announcements about TABOR refunds. States that have TABOR laws include Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, but not all of them issue refunds every year. Your state's website will post information about refund may be able to access, the calculation method, and payment dates once the surplus is certified.