Where to find your Colorado TABOR refund online

Colorado's TABOR refund (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) is money the state returns to residents when tax revenue exceeds the spending limit set by law. You can check the status of your refund and claim it through the Colorado Department of Revenue website at tax.colorado.gov. The state does not mail TABOR refunds automatically — you must request yours online or by mail.

The online process takes about 10 minutes if you have your Social Security number and the tax year in question. The state processes most online requests within two to four weeks, though timing varies depending on how many people are requesting refunds at the same time and whether the state needs to verify your information.

You can also file by mail if you prefer not to use the online system, but mailing takes longer — typically four to eight weeks from the date the state receives your request. The online method is faster and gives you a confirmation number you can use to track your refund.

Key Takeaways

  • TABOR refunds are not automatic; you must request yours through the Colorado Department of Revenue website or by mail.
  • Online requests are processed in two to four weeks and give you a tracking number; mailed requests take four to eight weeks.
  • You need your Social Security number, tax year, and filing status to request a refund online.
  • The state deposits refunds directly to your bank account if you provide routing and account numbers, or mails a check if you do not.
  • If you filed a Colorado tax return for the year in question, the state may have already issued your refund automatically to your bank account or mailing address on file.

Steps to request your TABOR refund online

Go to tax.colorado.gov and look for the "TABOR Refund" section on the homepage. Click the link to the online refund request form. You will need to enter your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and the tax year for which you are requesting the refund.

Select your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household) for that tax year. This matters because TABOR refund amounts vary by filing status. Enter your current mailing address and, if you want the refund deposited directly to your bank account, your routing number and account number.

Review the information you entered, then submit the form. The state will display a confirmation number on the screen — write this down or take a screenshot. You can use this number to check the status of your request on the same website within a few days.

What happens after you submit your request

The Colorado Department of Revenue verifies your information against tax records on file. This usually takes two to four weeks. If your information matches a tax return you filed, the state processes your refund quickly. If you did not file a return for that year, the state may contact you to confirm you are a Colorado resident and owe no taxes.

Once approved, the state deposits your refund directly to your bank account if you provided banking information, or mails a check to your address on file. Direct deposit is faster — usually three to five business days after approval. Mailed checks take an additional five to ten business days to arrive, depending on postal service speed.

You can check the status of your refund by returning to tax.colorado.gov, entering your confirmation number, and selecting "Check Status." The website will tell you whether your request is pending, approved, or processed.

If you already filed a Colorado tax return

Many Colorado residents who filed a state tax return for the year in question have already received their TABOR refund automatically. The state issued these refunds to bank accounts or mailing addresses on file with the Department of Revenue. Check your bank statements and mail from the past few months to see if a refund arrived.

If you filed a return and received a refund, you do not need to request it again. If you filed a return but did not receive a refund, or if you are unsure whether you received one, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-238-TAXCO (8296) or check your account status online using your confirmation number from your tax return filing.

Mailing a TABOR refund request if you cannot go online

Download the TABOR Refund Request Form from tax.colorado.gov or call 303-238-TAXCO to request a paper form by mail. Fill out the form completely, including your name, Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and the tax year for which you are requesting the refund.

Mail the completed form to the Colorado Department of Revenue at the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your driver's license or other government-issued ID. The state recommends using certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.

Processing takes four to eight weeks from the date the state receives your form. You will not receive a confirmation number by mail, so keep a record of when you sent the form and what information you included. If you do not hear back within eight weeks, call 303-238-TAXCO to check the status.

Tracking your refund status online

Return to tax.colorado.gov and select "Check TABOR Refund Status." Enter your confirmation number (from your online request or tax return filing) and your Social Security number. The website will display whether your request is pending review, approved and processing, or completed.

If the status shows "completed," your refund has been issued. If it was deposited to your bank account, check your account within three to five business days. If it was mailed as a check, allow five to ten additional business days for delivery.

If the status has not changed after four weeks, or if you see an error in the information displayed, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-238-TAXCO. Have your confirmation number and Social Security number ready when you call.

What to do if your refund does not arrive

If your refund was supposed to be deposited to your bank account but did not appear after five business days, contact your bank first to confirm the routing and account numbers you provided were correct. Banks sometimes reject deposits if the account information does not match their records.

If your bank confirms the account information is correct and the deposit was not received, call the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-238-TAXCO. Provide your confirmation number and the date you submitted your request. The state can verify whether the refund was issued and, if so, investigate why it did not reach your account.

If your refund was mailed as a check and you have not received it after ten business days, contact the Department of Revenue. The state can issue a replacement check or deposit the refund to your bank account instead. You will need to provide your confirmation number and current mailing address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a TABOR refund for multiple years at once?

You must submit a separate request for each tax year. Go through the online form or mail a separate paper form for each year you are requesting. The state processes each request independently, so timing may vary between years.

What if I moved since I filed my tax return?

Enter your current mailing address on the refund request form. If you provided a bank account number, the state will deposit the refund there regardless of your address. If you did not provide banking information, the state will mail the check to the address you enter on the form.

Do I need to have filed a Colorado tax return to get a TABOR refund?

Not necessarily. You may be a Colorado resident who did not file a return but is still owed a refund. The state will verify your residency and tax status when you submit your request. If you have questions about whether you owe taxes, call 303-238-TAXCO before requesting your refund.

How much is the TABOR refund?

The amount varies by year and filing status. The state calculates the total refund based on how much revenue exceeded the spending limit, then divides it among all residents who request it. Check the Colorado Department of Revenue website for the current year's refund amount by filing status.

Can someone else request my TABOR refund for me?

No. You must request your own refund using your Social Security number and personal information. A spouse can request a refund for a joint filing using both Social Security numbers, but a third party cannot request a refund on your behalf.