Remote Work CA/WA

[cree30]

I switched jobs and the new company is headquartered in California. I am working remote from the state of Washington (no state income tax).  I do not need to be in CA to perform my work. Would I qualify for refunds of the CA taxes I am paying?  How do I file for one?

[TomD8]

If you are a resident of Washington and your remote work is entirely done from a Washington location, your W2 income from that work is not subject to CA taxation.  If that's your situation no CA taxes should be withheld from your pay.

CA taxes non-residents only on CA-source income.  W-2 earnings are "sourced" where the work is actually performed.  In other words, CA taxes non-residents only on earnings from work actually (physically) done within the state of California.

Talk to your payroll department.

To obtain a refund of the incorrectly withheld CA taxes, at year's end file a non-resident CA tax return and allocate zero income to California.

[Hal_Al]

The above answer applies to regular W-2 employees.  If you are a contract employee, receiving a form 1099-NEC, instead of a W-2, the answer is different.   Due to a 2019 court ruling in CA, if you are a sole proprietor and you provide services to a client located in CA, that income is taxable by CA - even if you never set foot in California.  

Reference: https://www.coblentzlaw.com/california-office-of-tax-appeals-gives-precedential-authority-to-bindley...