In one example, an apparatus is disclosed for coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, wherein the apparatus includes a video coder configured to code information that identifies a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to a scanning order associated with the block prior to coding information that identifies positions of other non-zero coefficients within the block, including at least one of the following: coding a one-dimensional position within the block that identifies the position of the last non-zero coefficient; coding a two-dimensional position within the block that identifies the position of the last non-zero coefficient, and coding a flag that indicates whether the last non-zero coefficient is located within a range of positions within the block, and coding the one-dimensional position when the last non-zero coefficient is located within the range, and otherwise coding the two-dimensional position.