California state return

[Becca64]

I taught remotely in California and they took out Michigan taxes as I live in Michigan.  Why do I owe money to California?

[DaveF1006]

To clarify, is your work sourced from a California-based employer or Michigan? 

[TomD8]

Another issue is this:  were you paid as an employee (you received a W-2), or as an independent contractor (you received a 1099-NEC)?

[Becca64]

company was based in California and I received a W-2

[TomD8]

@Becca64 --

From page 7 of CA Tax Publication 1031:

"Wages and salaries have a source where the services are performed. Neither the location of the employer, where the payment is issued, nor your location when you receive payment affect the source of this income."

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2023/2023-1031-publication.pdf

CA taxes non-residents only on CA-source W-2 income.  If your work was 100% performed from a location in Michigan, then it is Michigan-sourced income and therefore not taxed by California.  If that is your situation, then you can answer No to the TT question about having income from another state.

[Becca64]

no