Rocket Bob

No real need to worry Freightpuppy. I think I was one of the first to get the letter from the FTB, and I think anyone that paid into the SDI will be getting the letter in the next few weeks. I called the FTB on the phone and told them my situation; they recommended sending in a letter explaining my situation and also a copy of my w-2. Before they even got the W-2, I got another letter from the board telling me that I didn't owe them any state tax based on the information that I had provided them on the phone...weird. I'm anxiously awaiting a similar letter for 2008, and then 2009. Maybe other states will find out I've also landed or spent layovers in their states as well.

MaxKts

I had this problem while stationed in CA with the military. They filed a tax lien against me for not filing a state income tax form. I had to file paperwork proving that I owed them nothing and was not even required to file in the state (military nonresident). They responded with filing another tax lien the following year. CA will try anything to get your money! Worst part was it shows up on your credit report as a negative item (Tax Lien Filed - Tax Lien Satisfied) even though it should never have been there.

757upspilot

If you are commuting why are you in a state with an income tax. Nevada, New Hampshire, Florida Texas have no income tax.

Freightpuppy

Because unfortunately our entire family is in another democrat run state of IL.
Trust me, if we weren't both airline pilots with a child, I'd be living in one of them.

kronan

re-re-post

clipping from an earlier post

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 (See p.7)

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

Need4Speed

Assuming you didn't meet any of the criteria that California uses to determine residency (voting, residing in property, etc.), you are protected under US Code, Title 49. Under federal law, California can not tax you unless you meet the 50% criteria mentioned in other posts. Click on this link, and look at 40116 State Taxation (F)(2)(A) & (B).

US CODE: Title 49,40116. State taxation

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

In the last few months at least 4 of our ONT based pilots got the same letter, one of them got it last week...

Our ONT CP is well aware of the issue and has made some calls which took care of the problem for two of those guys already.

The state of California is so poor right now that supposedly they're basically fishing for any possible extra revenue they can get and are matching the disability insurance (the one you used) against CA tax returns... So just like RB said, if someone's paying the insurance (we all are ) but not paying the CA state tax (commuters) there's a high probability that someone will get a similar letter in the next 12 months or so... If so, just notify JA and he'll take care of it...

A friend working for a different airline had to show receipts etc. proving he was spending more than 50% of his time outside California... It took him a while but he ended up gaining his freedom from the Socialist State of Калифорния!

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

...and Tennessee! Non-stop SWA flights from BNA to ONT!

forumname

It's weird how the letters are being dispersed. I got mine last week. Some I know got them last month or the month prior to that. Another got one in December of last year.

FX Bone Guy

Earlier last year I got a notice from my ID theft protection company that a tax lien was placed against me for about $14,000 or so. CA was trying to collect. They NEVER sent me any letters - the address they had for me was from over 8 years ago. I fought this for months, sending them all kinds of documentation (I was living in SD, based in LAX). Never got anywhere until I hired an attorney in CA. The Met Life legal plan (FedEx) covered the attorney, and within a week of the attorney contacting the tax board in CA, they sent me a "good-standing" letter, but it took several more months before they removed the lien.

Wonderful place, CA.