How Much Will TABOR Refunds Be In 2026? Here’s What To Expect

Colorado taxpayers are asking an important question: how much will TABOR refunds be in 2026? These refunds, tied to Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), are designed to give money back when the state collects more revenue than it is allowed to keep.

While past years brought bigger checks, the outlook for 2026 shows refunds will be much smaller. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is TABOR?

TABOR stands for the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, a law that limits how much money the state government can collect. If Colorado earns more than the allowed amount, the extra money has to be returned to taxpayers. These refunds are sent when people file their state tax returns.

In short, TABOR refunds are not extra bonuses. They are simply the state giving back money that went over the limit.

When Do People Get TABOR Refunds?

Refunds are not automatic. Coloradans only receive TABOR money after filing their state taxes. That means the next refunds will come in 2026, when people file for the 2025 tax year.

In past years, refunds were larger. For example, in 2025, single filers received about $177, while joint filers got more than $1,000. But for 2026, the payouts will be much smaller.

Forecast for 2026 Refunds

The Legislative Council staff released its September 2025 forecast, which reviews the state’s budget and revenue.

Here are the key numbers:

• General fund revenue for 2024–2025: $17.18 billion
• Certified TABOR surplus: $296.1 million
• Refunds after adjustments: $293.3 million

This means refunds will exist in 2026, but they are much smaller compared to recent years.

Expected Refund Amounts

Refunds are based on income brackets. Here’s what taxpayers can expect:

Income (AGI)	Single Filers	Joint Filers
Up to $54,000	$20	$40
$54,001 – $110,000	$26	$52
$110,001 – $176,000	$30	$60
$176,001 – $250,000	$36	$72
$250,001 – $329,000	$38	$76
$329,001 and up	$62	$124

Compared to past years, where refunds reached hundreds of dollars, these numbers look very small.

Why Are Refunds Shrinking?

The drop in refund size is not a surprise. Experts have been warning that TABOR refunds would shrink because:

• Colorado’s economy is slowing down, meaning less tax revenue.
• The state’s income tax rate has been reduced.
• More money is being spent on tax credits and family programs.

Because of these changes, refunds are likely to stay low in the near future.

What About Future Years?

The forecast also looked ahead. It shows that for the fiscal year 2025–2026, state revenue will actually fall below the TABOR cap by about $215 million. This means there will probably be no refunds at all in 2027 for the 2026 tax year.

However, refunds may return in later years:

• For the 2027 tax year, refunds could range between $47 and $300.
• For the 2028 tax year, refunds may be between $65 and $410.

The exact amounts will depend on future economic conditions. A new forecast will be released in December 2025, which may change the estimates.

TABOR refunds in 2026 are expected to be much smaller, with most taxpayers getting only $20 to $124 depending on income and filing status. While refunds have been higher in the past, weak revenue, reduced tax rates, and family tax credits are cutting the amounts.

For 2027, there may be no refunds at all, but future years could see them return. Colorado families should be prepared for smaller payouts and plan their budgets without relying heavily on TABOR money.

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