Latest news with #ColoradoDepartmentofRevenue
CBS News
07-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Denver restaurant seized by Colorado Department of Revenue after employees quit over missing wages
The Colorado Department of Revenue has seized multiple properties, including a popular Denver BBQ restaurant, after they said the owners failed to pay taxes for years. The entire staff of AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q in Denver recently quit, stating owner Jared Leonard had been taking taxes from their paychecks and then not putting that money towards taxes. They told CBS Colorado that Leonard has been out of the country for months and the employees made the decision on their own to close the doors. According to AJ's website, the Texas-style Bar-B-Q restaurant was recognized in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Colorado. Former AJ's General Manager Patrick Klaiber said he questioned Leonard's tax practices and legal action Leonard was facing, but was told it was nothing to worry about. He said staff paychecks would bounce, payments were made using Venmo or Zelle, and some employees are now receiving notices from the IRS that they owe taxes they thought were being paid. "After I found out what I found out, I told all the staff. I said, 'Hey, I can't work for this guy anymore, you probably shouldn't either. So, I'm going to be walking out the door this weekend.' And everyone got behind me. Everyone knew what was going on, I told them every step of the way," said Klaiber. The restaurant has been closed since. Leonard has been behind a number of restaurants across the metro area that have closed over the years, including two in Lakewood that shut down just last month with little notice to those employees. On Wednesday, the Colorado Department of Revenue posted notices outside AJ's stating that it is seizing several properties under Leonard's AU FEU DENVER LLC for unpaid taxes. Properties seized include Zepplin Station and AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q in Denver as well as a home located in the 300 block of Elmgreen Lane in Evergreen. A Notice of Public Sale posted on the door of AJ's on March 5 states the properties will be placed up for sale to pay $65,478.10 owed to the department. Statements posted outside the restaurant show taxes owed reaching back to 2022. The notice said the sale would include the property, furniture, fixtures, equipment and inventory at the locations. The date, time and location of the sale have yet to be determined. CBS Colorado reached out to Leonard for comment, but has not heard back.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado Department of Revenue announces income taxes now processing, new online tool
After a delay pause in processing tax returns, leaving many returns pending, the Colorado Department of Revenue said it's now ready to accept them. The department began processing income tax returns from third-party services on Friday. The state's online filing system was initially estimated to be up by "early February." Officials said that the delay will cause delays in receiving refunds. They also announced a new online tax benefits hub designed to help taxpayers save money. Officials said the tax credit hub is part of the department's effort to spread awareness about available tax credits, subtractions and rebates. The online resource is organized into four groups including families and individuals, seniors and retirees, charitable contributions and climate-friendly. "The Department of Revenue is constantly working to serve our customers and ensure that they can access our resources as effectively as possible," said Heidi Humphreys, Executive Director of the Department of Revenue. "We're proud to offer this new resource." The Department of Revenue said potential savings include dozens of tax breaks such as: Colorado Earned Income Tax Credit - As an example, a couple filing jointly with two kids and an adjusted gross income of $50,000 would receive $1,334 Colorado Child Tax Credit - Up to $1,200 per child (for children under 6) Family Affordability Tax Credit - Up to $3,200 per child under 6 years old and up to $2,400 per child between the ages of 6 and 16 Innovative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit - Up to $7,500 Colorado Promise Higher Education Tax Credit - Varies depending on school; provides eligible students with tuition and fees for their first two years of college Officials encouraged taxpayers to file electronically to cut down on processing time. They said income tax processing will be available through Revenue Online in the coming days. The filing deadline for the 2024 tax year is April 15. Colorado offers an automatic six-month extension for filing as long as payment obligations are satisfied by April 15.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Community College of Denver launches tuition free high school diploma program for adults
DENVER (KDVR) — The Community College of Denver announced it will offer a tuition-free high school diploma program for adults. Students in the program must pay a one-time fee of $50, and upon completion of the program, the school said the diploma can help open new employment opportunities, unlock access to federal financial aid and help transition into other certificate and degree programs. Colorado Department of Revenue still not processing state tax returns The program is centered around a competency-based curriculum that takes into account prior education that may be eligible for credit. Students can take up to three courses at the same time to earn the diploma, and evening and weekend classes are offered. Those accepted into the program are required to meet with an advisor to evaluate course placement and assist with onboarding. 'Students can complete the program in as little as five weeks or take up to one year to finish if they stay on track with the work,' said Josh Morgolin, program director. 'Advisors are provided to assist with program planning and to help design an academic path toward additional certification and degrees for those interested, as well as to assist with employment and career guidance.' Columbine shooting survivor Anne Marie Hochhalter dies Courses are designed to fit around most work schedules and are offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. The classes are in person but can expand to remote operations if necessary. Students will also have access to the resources of Auraria Higher Education including: Student centers Auraria library Tutoring and counseling services Seamless transition to college Spaces in the program are limited. More information on the program can be found on the school's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colorado Department of Revenue still not processing state tax returns
DENVER (KDVR) — Tax season started weeks ago but the state of Colorado still has not started processing tax returns. On a federal level, the IRS began accepting individual tax returns on January 27th, but the Colorado Department of Revenue website for e-filing taxes is not up and running yet. Coloradans must claim TABOR refunds when filing taxes The website says 2024 return links are coming soon and to check back in early February, but the month is more than halfway over, and residents are wondering when they could receive their state refund if they are getting one. Chadwick Elliott, owner of the Denver Tax Group, said that he is informing his clients about the delay. 'The state has not approved their forms for e-filing,' Elliott said. His client, Dani Reese, said this was concerning. 'Knowing that there could be significant delays is really concerning, especially for those people who are really relying on that to pay their bills or just needing that extra money,' she said. Historically, the state Department of Revenue says it begins processing income tax returns between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and early February. In a statement provided last week, a spokesperson said, 'We have nothing to announce at this time and are focused on completing the necessary work to ensure taxpayers have a smooth and secure tax filing experience.' TABOR refund amounts announced for 2025, based on income Elliott says people should go ahead and file if they can. The software used by some tax professionals won't allow them to take action on any Colorado returns right now. Other software will. 'What will happen is as soon as the state comes online, then those returns will go into the queue, and you will automatically be filed,' Elliott said. The deadline to file taxes is April 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
