I left CA in 2012 on a 2 year contract. That was extended to 3 years. Then I took a different contract and now another. It has been 4 1/2 years and I have never been in CA more than 30 days in one tax year. I have a CA drivers license and vote absentee in CA but do not own property. My parents live in CA but I have no commitments to live in CA again and my current contract abroad has no end date. I have previously filed as a CA resident but now realize I may qualify to file as a non-resident under the safe harbor rule. My wages are from non-california sources. Can I claim non-resident status starting now? If my income in 2016 was foreign earned income, do I claim it on my state non-resident return?
