hyperone

I haven't used them, but you might try one of the companies that advertise on this website (and help pay for it), such as Airlines Crew Taxes - Home. If they can't help you themselves, I'll bet they can point you towards an attorney that can.

Rock

Thanks all for the replies. I live in Colorado which takes a nice chunk out of my paycheck. I don't feel like donating more of my decreasing paycheck to California.
I'll call the "Call us anytime" number they provided on the tax form (which is only available during normal business hours M-F) and try to nip it in the bud there. Bottomline...doesn't look like I'm obligated to pay so I won't. The only question is how long it will take before they get tired of asking. Guess I'll have to take good notes because it sounds like this might be an annual event. Since they've only contacted me now about 2007, I can see this taking a while. With amazing efficiency like that, I just can't figure out how the state can be teetering on bankruptcy. </sarcasm off>

AerisArmis

If you pay Colorado taxes on your entire pay, then California has no claim to any of it. They will go away once you prove it to them.

RedeyeAV8r

I had the same problem with CA several years ago when I worked for Brand-x.
I too live in Colorado.

Like was previously said, because you are based in CA you pay SDI tax to CA. The CA Dept of revenue wants verification on why you paid SDI but aren't paying CA state Tax.

This little issue happened to me every year when I was based there. Like was also previoulsy said, don't ignore the letter.

The letter should have a contact number in Sacramento. Call the number
(be patient cuz it is after all a government office). You will finally at some point get to speak with a Human (hopefully an english speaking one). They gave me a Fax number and a mailing address ( I asked for Street # address so I could use FedEx).

You send them a copy of a voter registration and Driver's license from your resident state or another method of proof that you are not a CA resident. I kept a copy of that letter and my FedEx airbill with my Tax records for that year per my CPA's advice. It has never become an issue.

That is all you need to do. It is a little Pain in the A$$ that CA puts you through each year, but it is worth it not to have to live there and pay CA state tax.

BTW in the unfortunate event you get furloughed (as I did back then) You will still qualify for CA unemployment benefits since you paid into the State Fund. Often CA unemployment benefits are higher than many other states.(like Colorado). Every dollar counts.

Hope this helps.

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

That is all you need to do. It is a little Pain in the A$$ that CA puts you through each year, but it is worth it not to have to live there and pay CA state tax.

Great advice, thanks...

BTW in the unfortunate event you get furloughed (as I did back then) You will still qualify for CA unemployment benefits since you paid into the State Fund. Often CA unemployment benefits are higher than many other states.(like Colorado). Every dollar counts.

Well, we are paying for the state disability insurance, not unemployment insurance...

kronan

Your CA income isn't taxed unless more than 50% of your flight time was in California. Whether they'd make you document that, and how that would play for a reserve guy who didn't get launched every day-who knows. Next link is from the State of California tax website, so, hopefully whatever crat you wind up speaking with next week is somewhat aware of California tax laws. If not, 1031 is the pub you need to remember

http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2008/08_1031.pdf

As much as it sucks and seems wrong, unless a state specifically exempts you, the income you earn in that state isn't tax exempt just because you are a resident of a different state.

Thank God California hasn't chosen to chase the airline non-res dollars, yet.

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

If California chose to chase the “illegal alien” dollar it could pay off its entire debt and become the wealthiest state in the nation...

Political correctness is slowly killing it...

kronan

It's a complex problem. Many of the illegal aliens do pay taxes using bogus SSNs. Downside is that if/when they file, their income level is normally so low that they qualify for EIC and get more than they pay into the system. But, the results are the same as if they were here legally and did the same job/same pay.
If we truly had border security, illegal aliens wouldn't be such a polarizing issue.


My wife works in a different state. We get the joy of filing two state tax returns and having a portion of her income result in taxes for two states. Would be great if her career field was one that the state exempted.

RedeyeAV8r

From personal experience, I was not a resident of CA but was domiciled there from previous Brand X airline and was where I was Furloughed.

I lived in another State where I paid State Tax. I went to the unemployment office of my Resident state to file for Unemployment benefits.

They were the ones who told me I could file in CA and I made $150 more per month and when you are in the "Soup line" every additional $ helped out.

Take that FWIW, YMMV an I Hope no one needs to find out.

FDXLAG

And many do not. And many do the same job for a lot less money. That is why many employers don't check documents and why many republican politicians don't care about border enforcement. Many democrats don't care for border enforcements because of the many illegal votes they garner. I like the word many. If we truly deported illegal aliens it wouldn't be such a polarizing issue either.