I was a travel nurse for 5 months in CA, but was a resident of IN (drivers license, registration, and owned a home and pay property tax). Then was hired at the hospital I was working at, sold my house and became an official resident of CA. CA collected all my income tax for the entire year. Which state should I file my income tax return for first?
From what you describe, you will file part-year resident state return for each state.
Although there are some states that give credit for taxes paid to another state, this is only for a resident return. As a part-year resident, you won't be eligible for that credit.
Since you are now a resident of California, do the Indiana return first and then California.
You will be double-taxed on the income you earned in California during the time you claim to have been an Indiana resident.
From what you describe, you will file part-year resident state return for each state.
Although there are some states that give credit for taxes paid to another state, this is only for a resident return. As a part-year resident, you won't be eligible for that credit.
Since you are now a resident of California, do the Indiana return first and then California.
You will be double-taxed on the income you earned in California during the time you claim to have been an Indiana resident.
I'm a travel RN in a similar situation - according to scenario 2 of this turbotax FAQ (<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901560-how-do-i-file-if-i-moved-to-a-different-state-last-year">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901560-how-do-i-file-if-i-moved-to-a-different-state-last-year</a>), would you also have to file a CA nonresident return for the time you worked in CA but as an IN resident?
So 3 returns total:
1.) Part-year IN (for the 5 months you worked in CA but as an IN resident)
2.) Part-year CA (for the income you made in CA after becoming a CA resident)
3.) Non-resident CA (for the 5 months you worked in CA but as an IN resident)