California Non Resident

[rthelandernv]

In past years, I have worked for a number of days in California and each time I do, I have gotten my return at 100%. This year I made less that in 2019 and yet California is taking approximately 75% of my return and I am only getting about 25%. Is this correct??? I have heard they have to give you it all back unless you were there for more than 1/2 the year and I was there only 29 days. Please let me know!

[ErnieS0]

Under the Safe Harbor rule, you are considered a California non-resident if you are a resident who is under an employment-related contract for an uninterrupted period of at least 546—and did not spend 45 days in the state.

As a nonresident you will still be taxed on income earned in California if you worked there during those 29 days or had other California income, such as rental income.

Perhaps in past years, you excluded 100% of your income from California?

You can discuss your situation with a Live Tax Expert by scheduling a Live Review.

Related information:

• 2020 Guidelines for Determining Resident Status

[rthelandernv]

I don’t understand why if I have filed tax returns in California the Previous 2 years for part time work there when I drove a semi there worked and drove it back to our base in Reno Nevada. Each of those 2years I received 100% of the taxes I paid back. So why this years, why am I paying 2/3 of my return for working there with my truck never ever staying the night in California. Help me understand this please?

[ErnieS0]

I don’t know how you filed your previous two years returns because I do not have access to them, so I can’t tell you why you got all your California income tax back. It’s possible you filed a non-resident California return and reported $0 California income because you worked in Nevada the whole time.

I suggest uploading your 2019 tax return in Documents in the left column of TurboTax Online and speaking with a Live Tax Expert.

Click How do I schedule my review using TurboTax Live?