Really appreciate all the help!! After more research, I think I should be considered as nonresident given (a) I am single and don't own a house or car in CA; (b) remaining "ties" I have with CA are my parents who live in CA, bank & 401K accounts, driver's license, and voter registration; (c) I meet the "Safe Harbor" rule in terms of being outside of CA for an uninterrupted period of at least 546 consecutive days (except I am not sure whether a written employment contract is truly needed. The fact that my working visa is sponsored can be considered as a contract from my perspective). This means I don't need to file CA taxes. Am I on the right track and does this align with what you are suggesting? Thanks again!
