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Returning Member
posted Oct 22, 2020 4:53:09 PM

I live in MA and work remotely for a company in CA as independent contractor (1099). Do I need to file CA state tax or MA state tax?

Does it make difference if I work as perm (w-2) for the company CA from MA?

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1 Replies
Level 15
Oct 23, 2020 7:40:13 AM

You file in both states.

You must file in MA, since you are an MA resident.  MA taxes its residents on all their income, regardless of its source.

You should also file a non-resident CA tax return.  CA taxes non-resident independent contractors on income from services provided to CA customers. * 

If you were a W-2 employee instead of an independent contractor, your income would not be taxable by CA unless you actually (physically) worked inside CA.

You'll be able to take a credit on your MA return for the taxes paid to CA on the income taxed by both states, so you won't be double-taxed.

 

*https://www.coblentzlaw.com/california-office-of-tax-appeals-gives-precedential-authority-to-bindley-decision-nonresident-sole-proprietors-out-of-state-services-to-california-customers-could-trigger-california-filing-requirem/