Freelancer Tax Guide — Denver 2026
Freelancing in Denver means a combined state and local income tax of 4.4%, 32nd of 50 cities we track. Denver adds no local income tax, so the 4.4% state rate is the whole of your non-federal income tax. Living costs are high relative to the rest of the list, and the freelancers we see here average $80,000 a year — $3,520 of that goes to state and local income tax.
📊 Denver Freelancer Tax Summary (2026)
State Income Tax
4.4%
SE Tax Rate
15.3%
Federal (all states)
At $80,000/yr
$61,302
Take-home pay
Recommended Savings
28–33%
Of each payment
💡 Key insight: Colorado's low flat 4.4% tax makes Denver one of the most tax-friendly major cities in the US for freelancers.
Calculate Your Denver Freelancer Take-Home Pay
SE Tax
$11,304
Federal Tax
$5,344
State Tax
$2,050
Take-Home
$61,302
Total Tax
$18,698
Effective Rate
23.4%
Quarterly Payment
$4,674
Monthly Net
$5,109
Denver Freelance Market Overview
Top Industries
- Tech
- Outdoor/Adventure
- Cannabis
- Aerospace
- Consulting
- Design
Recommended Hourly Rates
Average Freelance Income
$80,000/year
Estimated average for freelancers in Denver across all industries.
Denver Tax Tips for Freelancers
Colorado has a low flat 4.4% state income tax — one of the better rates in the US.
Denver has no additional city income tax.
Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits state tax increases.
Save 24–28% for taxes as a Denver freelancer.
Calculate Your Exact Denver Freelancer Taxes
Use our free self-employment tax calculator — includes Colorado rates.
How Denver Compares
Combined state and local income tax on $80,000 of freelance income, against the cities closest to Denver on rate.
| City | State | Local | Combined | Tax Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver (this guide) | 4.40% | — | 4.40% | -$3,520 |
| Charlotte, NC | 4.50% | — | 4.50% | -$3,600 |
| Raleigh, NC | 4.50% | — | 4.50% | -$3,600 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 4.65% | — | 4.65% | -$3,720 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 4.75% | — | 4.75% | -$3,800 |
| Chicago, IL | 4.95% | — | 4.95% | -$3,960 |
* Same $80,000 income applied to each city's rates, so the columns are directly comparable. Federal self-employment tax is identical everywhere and excluded here.