I am 100% nomadic. No home. I am often in California and vote here. What street address do I use for my taxes when I only have a virtual mailbox in Oregon?

walker4-8888 · ‎May 31, 2019

Since I have no residence, I have no living address or business address. I work as an artist and do my work all over the world over the computer. I use a mail service in Oregon which receives my mail and scans it for me. Therefore I have an Oregon address. But I have an California Driver's License and am in California more than anywhere else.

The tax forms ask for my business street address but I don't have one! What should I put there?

CalCountry · ‎May 31, 2019

If you reside in the United States, you cannot dodge the issue of state residency and tax domicile. Each state has its definition of residency and taxation of income. If you are not careful, more than one state might claim you as a resident and tax your income accordingly.

California can be tough on residency determination. Whether you are determined to be a resident or non-resident of California, your income earned in California will be subject to taxation by the state. If a resident, then all your worldwide income will be subject to California income tax. See the following passages and other information from FTB Publication 1031 at:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2011/11_1031.pdf

"Generally, your state of residence is where you have your closest connections. If you leave your state of residence, it is important to determine if your presence in a different location is for a temporary or transitory purpose. You should consider the purpose and length of your stay when determining your residency."

"When you are present in California for temporary or transitory purposes, you are a nonresident of California. For instance, if you come to California for a vacation, or to complete a transaction, or are simply passing through, your purpose is temporary or transitory. As a nonresident, you are taxed only on your income from California sources."

"When you are in California for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, you are a California resident. . For instance, if your employer assigns you to an office in California for a long or indefinite period, if you retire and come to California with no specific plans to leave, or if you are ill and are in California for an indefinite recuperation period, your stay is other than temporary or transitory. As a resident, you are taxed on income from all sources. You will be presumed to be a California resident for any taxable year in which you spend more than nine months in this state."

"Although you may have connections with another state, if your stay in California is for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, you are a California resident. As a resident, your income from all sources is taxable by California."

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SweetieJean · ‎May 31, 2019

What is the address on your driver's license? Car registration? Voter registration?

walker4-8888 · ‎May 31, 2019

Driver's license address is out of date because I don't live there anymore. Voter registration address is a cross-street in Los Angeles. Car registration is my sister's address but she doesn't want me to use her address on tax forms as my business address because in fact it is untrue.

bwa · ‎May 31, 2019

I'm assuming you have a bank account. Why not use direct deposit for your refund and use the mail service for the address on the return (or your sister's address?).

SweetieJean · ‎May 31, 2019

So what happens when your driver's license is up for renewal?

SweetieJean · ‎May 31, 2019

State taxes?

VolvoGirl · ‎May 31, 2019

You don't have to enter a business address. You can use the address on your return. What address did you enter under Personal Info? (Don't post the actual address you used here.)

SweetieJean · ‎May 31, 2019

See Guidelines for Determining Residency on p. 4 here:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2015/15_1031.pdf">https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2015/15_1031.pdf</a>

walker4-8888 · ‎May 31, 2019

bwa: Yes, I have a bank account. I was not concerned about where I would get a refund but what I should legally put for business street address when my only business address is a mail service in another state and not an actual physical location of a business.

walker4-8888 · ‎May 31, 2019

SweetieJean: When my driver's license comes up for renewal I will likely put my sister's address. I will pay California state taxes because I have been in California most.

walker4-8888 · ‎May 31, 2019

Thank you VolvoGirl, SweetieJean, and bba. I guess I will put my mailing address and hope for the best.

CalCountry · ‎May 31, 2019

If you reside in the United States, you cannot dodge the issue of state residency and tax domicile. Each state has its definition of residency and taxation of income. If you are not careful, more than one state might claim you as a resident and tax your income accordingly.

California can be tough on residency determination. Whether you are determined to be a resident or non-resident of California, your income earned in California will be subject to taxation by the state. If a resident, then all your worldwide income will be subject to California income tax. See the following passages and other information from FTB Publication 1031 at:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2011/11_1031.pdf

"Generally, your state of residence is where you have your closest connections. If you leave your state of residence, it is important to determine if your presence in a different location is for a temporary or transitory purpose. You should consider the purpose and length of your stay when determining your residency."

"When you are present in California for temporary or transitory purposes, you are a nonresident of California. For instance, if you come to California for a vacation, or to complete a transaction, or are simply passing through, your purpose is temporary or transitory. As a nonresident, you are taxed only on your income from California sources."

"When you are in California for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, you are a California resident. . For instance, if your employer assigns you to an office in California for a long or indefinite period, if you retire and come to California with no specific plans to leave, or if you are ill and are in California for an indefinite recuperation period, your stay is other than temporary or transitory. As a resident, you are taxed on income from all sources. You will be presumed to be a California resident for any taxable year in which you spend more than nine months in this state."

"Although you may have connections with another state, if your stay in California is for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, you are a California resident. As a resident, your income from all sources is taxable by California."

SweetieJean · ‎May 31, 2019

do my work all over the world over the computer

So you live in some type of a vehicle, and use internet cafes? Depending upon how much time you spend where, you may be subject to state tax in several states, as well as possibly the CA Franchise Tax.

bwa · ‎May 31, 2019

Even worse, if you are truly an itinerant with no fixed place of abode your home you couldn't deduct travel expenses, because you are never away from home.

SweetieJean · ‎May 31, 2019

Don't any of your customers ask you to fill out a W-9 form and/or send you a 1099-MISC?

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I am 100% nomadic. No home. I am often in California and vote here. What street address do I use for my taxes when I only have a virtual mailbox in Oregon?