The Family Affordability Tax Credit in Colorado is a state tax credit which is refundable through the tax return. For the tax year 2025, an individual can get up to $3,200 by claiming this tax credit with their 2026 Colorado state tax return.
If you are a resident of Colorado and you have a child under the age of 17 years, you can claim the FATC and get a refund if you don’t owe any money or your liability is smaller than your credit amount, or reduce your tax liability if you have any.
Here, we have shared everything you need to know about the Colorado FATC 2026. Read this article thoroughly to check if you are eligible to claim it, how much you can receive, what you are required to do to get it, and much more.
Who is eligible for the Colorado FATC in 2026?
In order to claim the Family Affordability Tax Credit in Colorado, it is mandatory that you meet the eligibility criteria.
- You are a citizen of the United States and reside in Colorado,
- You care for a child whose age is below 17 years as of 31st December 2025. The child can be your son or daughter, stepchild, foster child, grandchild, brother or sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister, niece or nephew, and
- Your AGI for the tax year 2025 should not be above $85,000 as a single, head of household, or married filing separately; and for the married filing jointly, it is $96,000.
What are the rates of Colorado FATC in 2026?
The rates for Colorado FATC for the tax year 2025 are made public. It depends on the adjusted gross income and the age of the qualifying child; go through the table below for the details.
Single, Head of Household, Married Filing Separately
| Adjusted Gross Income | Under Age 6 Credit | Age 6–16 Credit |
| $15,000 or less | $3,200 | $2,400 |
| $15,001 – $20,000 | $2,980 | $2,235 |
| $20,001 – $25,000 | $2,760 | $2,070 |
| $25,001 – $30,000 | $2,540 | $1,905 |
| $30,001 – $35,000 | $2,320 | $1,740 |
| $35,001 – $40,000 | $2,100 | $1,575 |
| $40,001 – $45,000 | $1,880 | $1,410 |
| $45,001 – $50,000 | $1,660 | $1,245 |
| $50,001 – $55,000 | $1,440 | $1,080 |
| $55,001 – $60,000 | $1,220 | $915 |
| $60,001 – $65,000 | $1,000 | $750 |
| $65,001 – $70,000 | $780 | $585 |
| $70,001 – $75,000 | $560 | $420 |
| $75,001 – $80,000 | $340 | $255 |
| $80,001 – $85,000 | $120 | $90 |
| $85,001 or more | $0 | $0 |
Married Filing Jointly
| Adjusted Gross Income | Under Age 6 Credit | Age 6–16 Credit |
| $25,000 or less | $3,200 | $2,400 |
| $25,001 – $30,000 | $2,980 | $2,235 |
| $30,001 – $35,000 | $2,760 | $2,070 |
| $35,001 – $40,000 | $2,540 | $1,905 |
| $40,001 – $45,000 | $2,320 | $1,740 |
| $45,001 – $50,000 | $2,100 | $1,575 |
| $50,001 – $55,000 | $1,880 | $1,410 |
| $55,001 – $60,000 | $1,660 | $1,245 |
| $60,001 – $65,000 | $1,440 | $1,080 |
| $65,001 – $70,000 | $1,220 | $915 |
| $70,001 – $75,000 | $1,000 | $750 |
| $75,001 – $80,000 | $780 | $585 |
| $80,001 – $85,000 | $560 | $420 |
| $85,001 – $90,000 | $340 | $255 |
| $90,001 – $96,000 | $120 | $90 |
If your adjusted gross income for the tax year 2025 is above the threshold, you can’t claim the Colorado FATC.
How to claim the Colorado FATC in 2026?
To claim the Colorado FATC for the tax year 2025, it is mandatory that you file a state tax return by the deadline with the Department of Revenue. The due date to do so is April 15, 2026; the filing process may begin in late January 2026.
You can file your Colorado state tax return electronically or via on-paper. To claim the Family Affordability Tax Credit in 2026, you have to file three forms accurately by cross-checking, which includes Form DR 0104, Form 104CR, and Form DR 0104CN.
When to expect the Colorado FATC Refund in 2026?
The initial refund for the Colorado FATC for the tax year 2025 is likely to be received in mid-February 2026. If you file electronically in the initial stage, you will get a refund within three weeks, and in case it is on-paper filing, you have to wait at least six weeks to receive it.
Disclaimer: Colorado’s 2026 Family Affordability Tax Credit guidelines may vary. Official eligibility and refund decisions come from state tax authorities.