Tax implications when moving to NV but work remote from Cali

[Raquel Yu]

Hello BiggerPockets Community,

This is my first post! And I'm trying to buy my first property! Would appreciate your feedback/advice if possible. I work for a big pharma and will be working remote probably until Q2 2021, if not longer. My goal for 2020 was to buy my first property and either house hack or invest. I'm looking in South Lake Tahoe (CA) and Stateline (NV) area that are VHR (vacation home rental) eligible to live in and house hack, then use as rental property if I have to come back to CA for work.

Question is, would there be a great impact if I bought property in Stateline, NV instead of South Lake Tahoe, CA? Could I avoid state income tax by being a NV resident? The properties in South Lake are a little bit nicer, bigger, and cheaper, so if I could chose I would do South Lake Tahoe, unless I could benefit being a NV resident or could be beneficial long term for rental property. I believe Stateline, NV are a bit pricier and older because of the no income tax benefits and VHR leniency, but I'm not sure if I can even obtain those benefits if I'll be working remote from a company in CA. 

If anyone has any experience, feedback, or advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Raquel

[Basit Siddiqi]

@Raquel Yu

You may run into a "convenience of the employer" test to determine whether or not you would be subject to CA income tax.

If you live in NV and you agreed with your employer that you will be working remotely. Then it is most likely your income won't be subject to CA income tax. 

However, if you live in Nevada and your home is close to the work office and you are expected to come into the office but decide to work remotely - then in this case your income will likely be subject to CA income tax.

[Basit Siddiqi]

@Raquel Yu

You may run into a "convenience of the employer" test to determine whether or not you would be subject to CA income tax.

If you live in NV and you agreed with your employer that you will be working remotely. Then it is most likely your income won't be subject to CA income tax. 

However, if you live in Nevada and your home is close to the work office and you are expected to come into the office but decide to work remotely - then in this case your income will likely be subject to CA income tax.

[Raquel Yu]

Hi @Basit Siddiqi,

Nice to meet you. I see, that's interesting, thanks so much for your response and input! How would this be proven when doing taxes if there was an agreement to work remote with my employer?

-Raquel

[Basit Siddiqi]

@Raquel Yu

A signed employer letter normally mentions where your work location is.

Your paycheck would normally withhold CA taxes if they expect you to be working from a CA office

[Raquel Yu]

Got it, thanks Basit!