Skip to main content
June 5, 2019
Question

State tax on relocation benefits within same company

  • June 5, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I recently moved from CA to WA with the same employer. I received X$ as lump sum as relocation benefits. Two questions:

1. Is this is CA income or WA income?

2. Related to #1: in what state I should deduct my moving costs?

Thanks!

1 reply

Employee
June 5, 2019

1.  If you received the lump sum while you were a legal resident of CA, it is CA income.  You were a CA resident until you established your domicile (your fixed, permanent home) in WA.  If you received it after you became a legal WA resident, it is WA income.

2.  Expenses related to a move OUT OF California are not a deductible expense on your California return.  WA does not have a personal income tax.

**Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice.
June 5, 2019
Tom, thanks for your answer. What if (and don't ask why it happened) payroll processed my payment, and withhold taxes, a week before I moved, but I actually received payment to the bank account 2 weeks after I moved?