Expatriate working overseas, with mailing address in CA, but not Resident of CA. Do I have to file CA State taxes?

[gnabboud]

I'm a US expatriate working overseas (for almost 10 years).  In my Federal taxes, I put my mailing address in California (since I use my bother's address in CA), however I'm NOT a CA Resident.  This year, since the interest rate was good, I made money from buying bank CDs and US treasuries, where the total interest made was more that CA Standard Deduction.  I received form 1099 with the interest made, and form 1099 has my mailing address in CA.

Do I have to file for CA State taxes?  I googled this, and found info that says: "Interest and Dividend" are NOT taxable in CA if you are not a resident of CA.   If this is true, then I don't need to file for CA taxes.  Can someone please help to confirm this and if there is a need to file for CA state tax?

Thanks

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

You are not a CA resident so you don't need to file a return. You don't have CA source income. You don't have a home, license, vote, act like a resident then CA is not a place of residence, just where you get mail.

Reference: CA Do You Need to File?

[gnabboud]

Thanks a lot for your help.

Yes, I don't have any CA source income, neither a home nor a vote.  However, 3 years ago (summer 2021), I visited my brother in CA for 3 weeks vacation, and since I wanted to rent a car, I applied for CA driver license and got it.  Is this an issue?  My vacation in CA was for only 3 weeks during the last 20 years.

Thanks and appreciate your help again

[TomD8]

Your mailing address should be the address you want the IRS to use if they have to send you a letter or check.  But in the Personal Info section of TurboTax, be sure to enter "Foreign or U.S. Possession" as your State of Residence.  (It's the last choice in the State of Residence drop-down window.)