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July 30, 2024
Question

Do I have to pay California state taxes if I work remotely in China?

  • July 30, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I worked for a CA company in 2023 and lived in CA from Jan to May but moved and stayed in China from June to Dec later. I worked remoted from June to Dec of 2023.

I do not know what is my residency status for 2023? Do I need to pay the CA tax as a whole year of 2023 or just need to pay partial tax? Wish some expert could help me to figure out, thank you very much!

1 reply

Employee
July 30, 2024

@ruby25zgheng ,  Should I assume that you are a US person ( citizen / GreenCard ) ?

 

Generally CA  taxes  both Non-Resident ( on California sourced income ) and Residents ( on world income).

 

Unlike some other states  CA does not use a number of days present  to determine residency -- instead it uses  a number of factors to determine of one is resident ( domiciled ) ---- I would refer you to  FTB instructions/discussions  -- see page 5 of  this --->

2023 FTB Publication 1031 Guidelines for Determining Resident Status

 

If I assume that you were never a CA resident and just came to the US / CA  and stayed here from Jan through May of 2023 , worked / trained  . and then went back to your home country ( China ) then your period of stay may qualify you for being a Non-Resident.  This would mean that you will pay CA taxes ONKLY for the period that you lived and worked in CA.

There is also a possibility that you were a resident of CA and then took a job abroad, then  you are a resident for the first part of the year and then a Non-Resident for the rest of the year  -- the  referred document also covers this case.

 

Is there more I can do for you ?

 

August 1, 2024

Thanks for your reply. We were CA residents and moved out in 2023. My concern is will his foreign earned income be split into half and counted on me? For example, he earned 100K outside of US in 2023 and he should not pay CA tax since he is non-resident and income source is not from CA. However, we filed married joint, I am a 5 months part-year resident in CA, then do I need to pay tax for half of his foreign income and times 5/12 months?

I am not clear about this part.

Employee
August 1, 2024

@ruby25zgheng  , please could you tell me little bit more -----

(a) did your husband ( spouse ) live and work in CA at anytime in 2023 / 2022 ?

(b)  Is he a US person ( citizen/ GreenCard ) ?

(c) Are you US person ( Citizen/ GreenCard ) ?  Was this  Jan-May of 2023 your only stay in the USA ? California or were you a resident of California or another  US state  earlier  ?

(d)  Do you have assets / house / property , bank accounts / driver's license  etc. in California ?

 

What I am trying to get at is " closer connection" and/ or your intent for future  -- yes ?

 

I will come back once I hear from you