What’s Happening Rarely has a potential change in tax law affecting so few taxpayers attracted as much attention as California’s 2026 Billionaire Tax Act. By definition, the proposed legislation, which takes the form of a ballot initiative subject to a popular vote, only applies to the rarified demographic of taxpayers…
The Case A recent case from California’s Office of Tax Appeals brings some clarity to how strictly California dates a change of residency for income tax purposes when a nonresident claims to have moved to California shortly after a liquidity event. The case, Appeal of Housman, OTA Case No. 18010200…
The Issue Nonresidents who own vacation homes, business interests, financial accounts, or have other significant contacts in California can receive a notice from the Franchise Tax Board, California’s tax enforcement agency, demanding they file a tax return or explain why they aren’t required to. The official notice number is…
Seasonal Visitors to California and Residency Anxiety Out-of-state visitors who own vacation homes in California or otherwise spend significant time here on a seasonal basis (traditionally known as “snowbirds” because the season is inevitably winter) are often anxious about their residency status. There’s good reason to be. California rules…