HB 24-1134

House Bill 24-1134, which has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, aims to make child care tax credits more generous for Colorado residents. It combines two existing state income tax credits into one, increasing the credit from 50% to 70% of federal child care expenses starting in 2026, and removes previous income limits so that anyone earning up to $60,000 annually can claim it. Additionally, the bill raises the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) percentage for individuals over several years, reaching a maximum of 50% by 2026 under certain conditions. This will benefit low- and middle-income families by reducing their tax burden and providing more support for child care expenses.

Official Summary

The act modifies 2 existing state income tax credits for child care expenses.One of the credits can be claimed by an individual who claims the federal credit allowed for child and dependent care expenses (federal credit). The other credit can be claimed under the same parameters as the first credit but by an individual who does not meet the minimum income threshold to be able to claim the federal credit. The act merges the 2 state income tax credits into one credit to be claimed for income tax years commencing on and after January 1, 2026, increases the amount of the credit from 50% of the federal credit to 70% of the federal credit, and allows the credit to be claimed by a resident individual whose federal adjusted gross income is less than or equal to $60,000, annually adjusted for inflation, without regard to income limitations imposed for claiming the federal credit. The act also clarifies that the credit is for expenses related to child care and dependent care, as such expenses are qualified under the federal credit. The act increases the amount of the state earned income tax credit (EITC or credit) that can be claimed by an individual as a percentage of the individual's federal earned income tax credit (federal credit) amount as follows: For the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2024, from the current level of 38% to 50%; For the income tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, from the current level of 25% to 35%; and For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, from the current level of 20% to 25%. Additionally, after income tax year 2024, the act allows for the amount of the credit to increase to a maximum of 50% based on an estimated adjustment factor which is calculated as the forecasted compound annual growth of state revenue that is otherwise nonexempt revenue in any fiscal year in relation to state fiscal year 2024-25. For income tax year 2025, the amount of credit may be claimed at 50% of the federal credit if the estimated adjustment factor is equal to or greater than 2%. For income tax year 2026 and all subsequent income tax years, the amount of credit is increased as follows: If the estimated adjustment factor is equal to or greater than 3% but less than 3.18%, the credit can be claimed at 30% of the federal credit; If the estimated adjustment factor is equal to or greater than 3.18% but less than 3.37%, the credit can be claimed at 35% of the federal credit; If the estimated adjustment factor is equal to or greater than 3.37% but less than 3.56%, the credit can be claimed at 40% of the federal credit; If the estimated adjustment factor is equal to or greater than 3.56% but less than 3.75%, the credit can be claimed at 45% of the federal credit; and If the estimated adjustment factor is equal to or greater than 3.75%, the credit can be claimed at 50% of the federal credit. The act also makes the state's corporate income tax more uniform compared to other states by replacing the current combined reporting standard with the multistate tax commission's standard. In addition, these sections modify the computation of receipts factor to make it more congruent with the unitary business principle. APPROVED by Governor May 14, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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