Offsetting CA tax using tax withheld from another state

[hhog]

My resident state is CA and I have a balance due.  Say I have $100 withheld from another state (which I could get back by filing that state's return).  My question is, is there any way I can apply that $100 to my CA balance due, without filing the other state's return?  Thank you in advance.

[MindyB]

Unfortunately, no. State tax agencies operate independently, so you cannot transfer withholding directly from one state to another. 

To access that $100, you must file a return with the other state to claim it as a refund, and then use those funds to pay your California balance. 

California will only credit you for taxes paid to another state if the income was actually taxable in both jurisdictions.