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Unclaimed Tax Credits

Background

The Colorado Department of Revenue wants to get more money back in the pockets of Coloradans so we identified people who may not have received the largest tax refund they were eligible for so we made the process for claiming this missed money a lot easier. The process should only take about 10 minutes. 

This program is a result of House Bill 24-1288, Earned Income Tax Credit Data Sharing, that was passed and signed into law during the Colorado 2024 Legislative Session. The bill requires the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) to start a new program to find residents who are owed money from certain unclaimed tax credits. These credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Child Care Tax Credit (CCTC), and Income or Wage withholding that was withheld and paid to Colorado.

How it works

  1. We’ll mail a letter to anyone they identify who might be eligible for these credits along with a security key for accessing it.
  2. You’ll get a pre-filled return with a list of your eligible withholdings and credits, the refund amount for each, and a total amount of refund you’ll receive.
  3. Once you accept and we approve your submission, we’ll send your refund check in about 2-4 weeks and to the same address we sent the letter.

FAQ's

I received a letter but misplaced it, and I no longer have the security key. What should I do? 

Each letter has a security key with an expiration date that expires 60 days from the date of the letter.

Access your letter online

  1. Login to your Revenue Online account or create a Revenue Online account.
  2. Select Action Center at the top of the page
  3. Under the first panel, select the View Letters link
  4. If you received an Unclaimed Credit Letter, follow the instructions

If you don’t want to create a Revenue Online account or it’s been more than 60 days since you received your letter, contact the Discovery Section at 303-205-8292 to have another letter mailed to you. We can not give you the security key over the phone.

I haven’t received a letter from the Department. What should I do?
  • You don’t need to do anything. We only sent letters to people we identified might be eligible.
  • If you want to double check you didn’t miss the letter, follow instructions in the previous FAQ item to access your letter via your RevenueOnline account.
     
I received a letter. Now what?

Follow the instructions in the letter. If you have a Revenue Online account, log in, go to additional information, and click Submit Unclaimed Credit Request under Submit Credit Information. If you do not have a Revenue Online account, go to the Colorado.gov/revenueonline, scroll down to File a Return or PTC form, and click the Submit Unclaimed Credit Request link. 

What information will I need to access my request? 

If you are accessing the link through your Revenue Online account, all you will need to do is enter the Security Key. If you are accessing the link displayed under File a Return or PTC form on Revenue Online, you will need to have your SSN or ITIN, Date of Birth, and Security Key to verify your identity.

What information will I need to determine my eligibility for the unclaimed credits?

It is highly recommended that you have your Federal and Colorado Income Tax Returns for the year(s) you are determining your eligibility. If you’re unsure how to determine your eligibility based on the information available, it may be best to consult a Tax Professional for help.

What happens if I claim credits but later realize I am not eligible to claim them?

If you find that you claimed credits you were not eligible to claim, you must file an amended income tax return to correct your income tax return filing, and pay any balance of tax, penalty, and interest that may be due. It may be best to consult a Tax Professional before filing the amended return for help. 

What if I rejected the eligibility, but later found that I am eligible for the unclaimed credits?

If you rejected the unclaimed credit request, you may file an amended income tax return to claim the credits previously rejected. You can file an amendment to claim a refund prior to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is 4 years from the due date or from the date you filed your original return, whichever is later.

What if I can only claim a portion of the unclaimed credits?

The request only allows you to accept the full unclaimed credit adjustment to your income tax return. You must reject the unclaimed credit request and file an amended return, claiming the portion of the credits you determine you are eligible to receive. The statute of limitations is 4 years from the due date or from the date you filed your original return, whichever is later. 

Why did I not receive the refund amount shown on my unclaimed request?

Refunds are subject to intercepts for balances owed to the Department and other participating agencies with whom you may owe a balance. You should receive a letter informing you of the intercepts and balances that your refund was fully or partially applied to. You may reach out to the appropriate agency to inquire about any questions or concerns you have regarding the interception of your refund.