Hi, I will be moving to Texas but continue to work for same company in California. I will travel back to California for work and also visit customers in other states. Questions:
1) Do I file Texas or CA state income tax return? I have to live in Texas for 6-months before becoming a Texas residence.
2) Is my home office in TX tax-deductible since company has no office in Texas?
3) If work travel expenses not reimbursed by company, can I deduct them for tax?
You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.
1) If you consider Texas to be your permanent home, then you would not need to file a Texas tax return because Texas has no state income tax. However, if you have income that is sourced in California, you will need to file a California income tax return.
2) It depends. If you are an employee of the California company, you cannot claim a home office deduction. If you are a contractor for the company, though, you may be able to claim a deduction for the business use of your home.
3) Again, if you are an employee and you incur travel required by the company that is not reimbursed, you cannot deduct those expenses. As a contractor, some travel expenses may be deductible. See IRS Tax Topic 511 - Business Travel Expenses for a discussion of what is deductible for someone who has two places of business.
So if I'm a Texas resident (TX is permanent home) but I work for a company in California, then I still have to file CA state income tax return for the salary from the company in CA?
How is whether the company is in California or Texas defined? My company has offices in Texas, too, but HQ and my manager is in CA.
Yes, you would file a nonresident CA tax return and include only the income from days you work in the state of CA. It doesn't matter where the company HQ are located, it only matters where you do the work. If you work in CA, that income is considered California sourced income. Example: If you were to go to Kentucky and work there for a week, those earnings for that week would be KY sourced income.
If you are a w-2 employee, you can't claim a home office deduction. Only the self-employed can claim that deduction.
Still have questions?
Make a postAsk questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.
nickiegrecco
New Member
mrsdellanini
New Member
rhcolton73
New Member
Irasaco
Level 2
pershingjohn
New Member
Did the information on this page answer your question?
You have clicked a link to a site outside of the TurboTax Community. By clicking "Continue", you will leave the Community and be taken to that site instead.