DR 0104CN: Colorado Child Tax Credit (2024)

Who files this form

If you claim the 2024 Colorado child tax credit on line 1 of DR 0104CR, you must complete DR 0104CN and submit a copy with your 2024 Colorado individual income tax return.

The credit includes two parts:

• Regular Colorado child tax credit: For qualifying children under age 6 at the end of 2024. Your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) must be $75,000 or less, or $85,000 or less for joint filers.
• Family affordability tax credit: For qualifying children under age 17 at the end of 2024. Your federal AGI must be $85,000 or less, or $95,000 or less for joint filers.

Nonresidents are not eligible. Do not complete this form if your income exceeds the family affordability credit limit or you have no qualifying children under age 17.

What you'll need

Have these forms and details ready:

• Your federal income tax form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-SP: Use the federal AGI on line 11.
• Form DR 0104: Complete the Dependents table first. Count children marked with the “Child Tax Credit” box separately for ages 5 and under and ages 6 through 16 at the end of 2024.
• Form DR 0104CR: Enter your calculated Colorado child tax credit on line 1.
• Form DR 0104PN, if you are a part-year resident: Use the percentage from line 34.
• Your name and SSN or ITIN: These are requested on DR 0104CN.

How to file

Complete DR 0104CN and submit a copy with your 2024 Colorado individual income tax return if you claim the credit on line 1 of DR 0104CR.

Full-year residents transfer the total from DR 0104CN, line 11, to DR 0104CR, line 1. Part-year residents complete lines 12 and 13 and transfer the amount from line 13 instead.

The supplied text does not provide a mailing address or e-filing directions.

Common mistakes

• Not completing the Dependents table first. Complete it on DR 0104 before preparing DR 0104CN, and use the children marked with the “Child Tax Credit” box.
• Completing Section B when you should skip it. Skip Section B if your federal AGI exceeds $75,000, or $85,000 for joint filers, or you have no qualifying children under age 6. Complete Sections C and D if you remain eligible.
• Missing Section B when you qualify. If you meet its income limit and have a qualifying child under age 6, the instructions say to complete Section B as well as Section C.
• Missing the part-year adjustment. Part-year residents must complete lines 12 and 13. Cap the percentage on line 12 at 100% and round it to four decimal places.
• Overlooking shared-child rules. If a child is the qualifying child of more than one person, the text directs you to “Qualifying Child of More Than One Person” in IRS Publication 501.

Questions people ask

Can I qualify if my child is too old for the regular credit?

Yes. A qualifying child ages 6 through 16 at the end of 2024 may qualify for the family affordability tax credit. Your federal AGI must be $85,000 or less, or $95,000 or less for joint filers.

Can I receive both parts of the credit?

Yes. If your federal AGI is $75,000 or less, or $85,000 or less for joint filers, and you have a qualifying child under age 6, complete both Sections B and C, followed by Section D.

What generally makes a child a qualifying child?

The child must meet the listed relationship test, be under age 17 at the end of 2024, have lived with you for more than half of 2024, not have provided more than half of their own support, and not file a joint federal return for 2024. Listed relationships include your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, stepsibling, half sibling, or a descendant of any of them. The text refers to IRS Publication 501 for further rules.

Can part-year residents claim the credit?

Part-year residents who qualify calculate the credit on line 11, then adjust it using the percentage from DR 0104PN, line 34. The percentage cannot exceed 100%. Transfer the adjusted credit from line 13 to DR 0104CR, line 1. Nonresidents are not eligible.

Official sources

• https://tax.colorado.gov/sites/tax/files/documents/DR0104CN_2024.pdf