Denver, CO Payroll Tax Registration

Jan 22, 2026

If you are an employer in Denver, Colorado, it is important to be aware of the local payroll tax requirements for businesses operating in the city. These requirements may include registering your business with the city and withholding a certain percentage of your employees' wages for local taxes.

How to Register for Payroll Tax in Denver

Denver Occupational Privilege Tax Setup for LLP, LLC, Corporation

You must register for the city's Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) -- a "head tax" imposed on Denver employers and employees -- if you have employees in Denver, Colorado. Employers must pay $4 per month for each taxable employee (if they earn at least $500 monthly) and withhold $5.75 per month from each taxable employee. Note: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that may qualify for exemption from the business portion of OPT will still be required to register in order to pay and report the $5.75 per month Employee OPT from each employee that receives compensation of $500 or more per month.

  1. Confirm OPT Filing Frequency with Payroll Provider

    Employers with ten or fewer employees may file Denver OPT quarterly instead of monthly. However, many payroll providers only support the monthly filing frequency. Therefore, confirm your filing frequency with your payroll provider during account registration.

  2. Register as a New Business in Denver eBiz Center

    Complete the new business registration in Denver eBiz Center to register for an Occupational Privilege Tax account. You will need to create a Denver eBiz Center username during registration. Once your registration is processed, you will be assigned a 12-digit Occupational Privilege Tax account number, e.g., 123456-123456. Your Denver Taxpayer ID is the first six digits before the dash. Note: It may take up to 5 days to process your registration.

Documents and Resources

Accounts Logins

Denver, CO Payroll Registration Agencies

Use Mosey to register for payroll accounts in Denver.

Register for payroll taxes with the state of Colorado

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

Mastering Employee Handbooks with Mosey: Non-Exempt & Beyond

In today’s workplace, few tools are as important as the employee handbook. This essential document connects your company policies with your workforce needs. However, creating and maintaining a handbook presents challenges to businesses of all sizes. On that note, we’re examining what makes handbooks so valuable, obstacles they can present, and how Mosey helps you overcome traditionally steep hurdles like non-exempt employee handbook requirements. As you’ll see, even the most complex handbook challenges become opportunities for clearer communication and stronger compliance with the right approach.

Paul Boynton | Apr 23, 2025

Remote Employee Onboarding: A Checklist & Tips for HR

Your new remote hire starts Monday in Texas. You’re based in California. Whose labor laws apply, and what happens if you guess wrong? Remote employee onboarding has evolved from a nice-to-have into a compliance minefield. However, companies that get compliance right from the start build stronger remote teams. They avoid the scramble of retroactive fixes, the stress of state audits, and the reputation damage that comes with labor violations. In other words, everyone wins.

Paul Boynton | Jul 10, 2025

California Overtime Laws: Employer Compliance Guide

California overtime laws go beyond federal requirements. Way beyond, actually. Understanding these rules—including daily thresholds, double-time provisions, and complex calculation methods—helps you structure schedules correctly, pay employees accurately, and avoid costly violations. This guide breaks down what California employers need to know about overtime pay. We’ll cover basic requirements, calculation methods, and practical implementation strategies. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, these rules apply to your business.

Paul Boynton | Nov 4, 2025

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.