Confusion for electonically filing Colorado tax returns

[FEDUKE404]

I have recently been informed that to electronically file a Colorado (along with simultaneously electronically filing Form 1040) I now must SCAN and ATTACH as a PDF file W2s etc. (Or mail copies of same to the CO tax folks.) The process apparently also involves CO Form DR 1778.

Has Colorado gone completely crazy? I thought the whole idea of electronically filing tax returns was NOT to have to deal with tax documents reporting income.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears de minimis that I will have to scan / attach as a PDF file the four W2s associated with my CO resident's tax return.

Thanks in advance for input from any CO tax pros who must be encountering this issue on a regular basis.

FE

[TaxGuyBill]

I don't prepare Colorado returns, but this is the first I've seen anybody say that.


I don't meant to doubt or question you, but have you verified that is what needs to be done from an official source?

[New York Enrolled Agent]

Fed - are you sure it's all such documents? I do a couple of CO returns (haven't done yet for 2025) and they've asked for a pdf of only the SSA-1099.

Obviously, things could have changed but check to see if it's other than the SS 1099s?

[FEDUKE404]

TTB kept giving error message for attached link from CO Dept of Rev.
add h t t p s : / / tax.colorado.gov/training/e-filer-attachments and you might reach the web page. . .

[FEDUKE404]

I don't prepare Colorado returns, but this is the first I've seen anybody say that.


I don't meant to doubt or question you, but have you verified that is what needs to be done from an official source?

I tried to attach a CO Dept of Rev link (above) but TTB kept giving error messages.

This information is from a Google search:


"For electronically filed Colorado tax returns, you must attach scanned copies of
W-2s and 1099s showing Colorado income tax withholding. Additionally, include Form DR 1778 to submit supporting documentation (like credit certificates) via Revenue Online, which reduces processing time compared to mailing them separately.
Key Documents to Attach (E-File):

W-2 statements: All statements indicating Colorado withholding.
1099 forms: Any 1099 forms showing Colorado withholding.
Form DR 1778 (E-Filer Attachment Form): Used to submit supporting documentation, such as receipts for credits claimed.
Relevant Federal Schedules: Scanned copies of federal forms that impact Colorado income calculations (e.g., Schedule C or E).

Submission Method:

Revenue Online: The Colorado Department of Revenue encourages using their Revenue Online system to upload attachments.
Third-party Software: If using commercial tax software, ensure documents are uploaded as PDFs, say Drake Software."

[TaxGuyBill]

WOW, that is interesting. And in my opinion, rather bizarre. But I agree, after looking at things, that is what it says.


"When filing an electronic return, attach scanned copies of all W-2s and/or 1099s that show Colorado income tax withholding to the e-filed tax return."

And another interesting thing on that same page:

"CDOR requires that the SSN be revealed in full on the W-2 so that our systems can process the information. Masked or truncated W-2 forms will not be processed."


https://tax.colorado.gov/individual-...099-statements



It is even in the Instructions to the tax form (page 16):

https://tax.colorado.gov/sites/tax/f...25.pdf#page=16

[FEDUKE404]

WOW, that is interesting. And in my opinion, rather bizarre. But I agree, after looking at things, that is what it says.


"When filing an electronic return, attach scanned copies of all W-2s and/or 1099s that show Colorado income tax withholding to the e-filed tax return."

And another interesting thing on that same page:

"CDOR requires that the SSN be revealed in full on the W-2 so that our systems can process the information. Masked or truncated W-2 forms will not be processed."


https://tax.colorado.gov/individual-...099-statements



It is even in the Instructions to the tax form (page 16):

https://tax.colorado.gov/sites/tax/f...25.pdf#page=16

Yup. Thanks for posting the DCOR link that works!

My experience was that I was in the process of efiling a client's CO tax return, and my software popped up an error message that I had not "attached" the now-required CO documentation.

I'll settle for "bizarre" but, quite frankly, I'm a couple of levels above that. Fortunately I have only one CO client.

FE

[Lion]

I'm down to only one CO return, and she's moving during 2026. How will she get an un-truncated W-2 when she's left that company, a sole proprietor with wife doing the books? Don't know how much success she'll have. And it's always a big refund, because it was a part-time retirement job. Oh well, she's going on extension anyway due to her move.

[Rapid Robert]

How will she get an un-truncated W-2 when she's left that company

I don't see why one couldn't use a PDF editing app to type in the full SSN on the PDF before it is uploaded. Would require at worst an extra 10 minutes, you could include it in your fee for the extra work to upload the PDFs.

Sometimes PDFs are "secured" and can't be changed, but there are ways to print to a file and then edit that, ask your IT person.

[FEDUKE404]

I don't see why one couldn't use a PDF editing app to type in the full SSN on the PDF before it is uploaded. Would require at worst an extra 10 minutes, you could include it in your fee for the extra work to upload the PDFs.

Sometimes PDFs are "secured" and can't be changed, but there are ways to print to a file and then edit that, ask your IT person.

Hmmmm. . .not sure I'm into ALTERING any tax document. Bad things could happen.

BTW: I will have a single CA tax return this year. Since CO is basically becoming CA-East, does CA have any such efling madness that I will have to deal with?

FE

[Rapid Robert]

BTW: I will have a single CA tax return this year. Since CO is basically becoming CA-East, does CA have any such efling madness that I will have to deal with?

FE

No, CA does not require attaching info forms with withholding to the return if efiled. For the W-2 in particular, they already have the withholding from the quarterly payroll returns from the employer, in fact they show this info during the year if you log in to your MyFTB account.

[Lion]

And, you the preparer now have CA-sourced income due to "delivering" tax returns to a CA resident. So, now you will have two CA tax returns.