State Income Tax, Car Purchase/Lease, and Commute CR to Aurora (Castle Rock: leasing, to buy)

[Thomas M]

1. I have lived in Texas all my life, so don't have any experience with State Income Tax. Is it withheld from your check and basically done like Federal Income Tax?

2. I'm going to need to get a newer/new car, should I wait to get one there in CO because I'm going to have to turn around and register and pay taxes there on it anyway? I may go with leasing a vehicle, wanting payments cheaper, anything I need to know about leasing vehicle there in CO? I have leased here in Texas several years ago.

3. How is the commute from Castle Rock to downtown Aurora? It shows about 30 miles. What about in snow?

Thank you very much for all the help!

[Mike from back east]

1. Yes. The current rate is 4.63% and there are exemptions if one is a retiree, i.e., $20k per retiree is exempt at a certain age, which I can't recall now (CRS).

2. Wait to buy a car. If you buy it there and pay taxes and fees on it there, you'd just pay more taxes and fees when you get here and register it.

3. IMO that's at least a 30-minute drive even if all is well and you go real early; up to 2 hours in the snow.

[Thomas M]

Thank you so much Mike, you seemed to hit the nail on the head and answered just what I needed. We know we want to live in CR, but I may just forget about looking in Aurora unless the money is much better.

Thanks again!