State tax filing

Hi,

 

My wife lived outside USA(foreign country) from 13th Dec 2020 to 17th Aug-2021.  From 18th-Aug-2021 till date she is in California. She was  having insurance for those days she is in California.

While filling tax for California for year 2021. It is asking to pay penalty for not having insurance from Jan to Aug-2021. Is there way to get exempt from California health insurance requirement? Since she lived most of the time outside USA, will she be consider as Resident of foreign country for 2021? Please suggest.

 

Thanks