travelling full time

[Marina218]

I am a US citizen from California, I am planning to maintain my address in California or I may change to a low tax state. I am planning to travel abroad on a full time bases (for the time being) maintaining my residency in US though. I be collecting Social Security, and a small pension.. I am single, taking standard deduction.

Can I use Turbo tax online to file, from wherever I am at? 

Any pitfalls I should be aware of?

Thank you

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Assuming you will not be receiving any type of foreign earned income during your travels, you file your tax returns as you normally would.  For your mailing address use an address where the IRS can contact you if ever required.

Note that any tax refund can only be direct deposited into a US bank located in the US.  

If you are going to use TurboTax any online account fees can only be paid with a US credit/debit card with a US billing address.

You can e-file a tax return using the TurboTax online editions from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

[TomD8]

"I am planning to travel abroad on a full time bases (for the time being)" 

Be aware that CA will continue to regard you as a CA resident for tax purposes until you abandon your domicile in CA and establish a new domicile in another state or a foreign country.  See Meaning of Domicile and Change of Domicile on page 10 of this CA tax publication:

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2022/2022-1031-publication.pdf

Your income is fully taxable by California as long as you are domiciled in California.  You can have only one domicile at a time.

You cannot avoid your state income tax obligation (if any) by simply changing your mailing address to a no-income-tax state.  If that were possible, everyone would do it.