Is a California tax return required for a US citizen living abroad and having a California mailing address for US bank accounts, US credit card accounts, etc.?

[masa_t]

I will live abroad indefinitely, have not been in California (CA) for more than 3 years, and do not have a home in CA or CA-sourced incomes (if dividends and capital gains from Apple stock are not deemed CA-sourced incomes) in 2024, but I use a friend's CA address for my US bank accounts, US credit card account, etc. that require a US mailing address. Do I need to file a 2024 California state income tax return? Thanks.

[Vanessa A]

No.  If you do not maintain a home in CA or live or visit CA, you do not need to file a CA return.  

If you are a US Citizen living permanently abroad, you only need to file a federal return, not a state return if you do not have any income from any states. 

[masa_t]

Thanks, Vanessa. Are dividends and capital gains from stock of Apple (a California company) deemed income from California? Thanks.

[MayaD]

 No. Dividends and capital gain from the sale of Apple stocks are not considered California income if you were not a CA resident when you received it.