Resident state for filing state taxes

[jackkgan]

I have been living in CA and filing with my state taxes as CA until end of 2023. I rented an apartment in New York for all of 2024 as I wanted to spend some time there, though I worked remotely from home. I plan to move back to CA to my parents in few months this year. I entered my my parent's address as my mailing address in CA, as my apartment in NYC is temporary and I don't want to miss any mails in future.

For my state taxes: In the screen "Confirm Your Permanent Home Address" If I change my permanent home address as of December 31st 2024 to New York, my taxes are increases by few thousands, but a refund appears if I choose permanent address as my mailing address in California. Am I expected to add my permanent home address as New York because I rented an apartment there for whole 2024 ? Is New York  considered my Domicile and permanent abode, etc..?

Also, when I search on google, I read that the state taxes in New York are less than California. But I am wondering why my taxes are increasing by $6000+ when I choose NY instead of CA. Please help me understand if I am missing something.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[KeshaH]

If you intended to be in New York temporarily and you didn't maintain a permanent place of residence in New York, you would be considered a nonresident of New York. You'd need to file a nonresident return for New York.

If California is your permanent domicile and you only intended to be away temporarily, you'd need to file a resident return for California. You'd get a credit in California for the taxes paid to New York to avoid double taxation.

Your tax liability in NY may have increased because, as a nonresident, you may not qualify for the same deductions or credits that residents qualify for. 

[jackkgan]

Thanks KeshaH

Please help me understand if it would acceptable to file as nonresident of New York though I officially rented and lived in an apartment in New York for entire 2024.

I had chosen State of Residence as New York in personal info. I am confused if it is ok to change that to California though I lived there.. My past (2023 and earlier) and long term plan (from half way through 2025) is to live in CA, so which one would be considered my domicile and permanent residence for my 2024 taxes ?- New York or California? Did you mean that I should file state taxes in both places for 2024?

Sorry that I am confused.. Thanks for your advice.

[AmyC]

Your tax forms should have your permanent address in case of audit or other issues -use CA address.

Since you were living (domiciled) in NY for more than 184 days, you will file a NY resident return, see  Definitions. 

If you kept your CA license, car tags, voting, etc then you are still a CA resident and would file a CA return and claim a credit for the income earned in NY. If you actually moved to NY, then you do not need to file CA.