CA State Tax on IRA distribution - Not stayed in CA in that year?

Question

Do I need to file CA state tax - here is my situation:
- I took some Early IRA distribution
- I was out of USA for the whole year, so not stayed in CA for that year.
- Have filed Federal taxes.
- Prior to that I was living in CA and now back to CA
- I'm US permanent resident

CA tax instructions say that you may have to file CA taxes even if you have not stayed in CA for that year if there is an income from CA source. Does the IRA distribution will be considered income from CA source?

Answer 1

When you leave the US, you retain your state domicile normally. Since you returned to CA, they are going to demand their share of the tax pie on that one. CA is notorious for doing that, by the way, as are MA and VA.

Answer 2

The best place to get the answers to your questions is the Franchise Tax Board. The phone number(s) will be found in any California phone book.