State Tax Filing After Moving Abroad
Moving abroad doesn't automatically end your state tax obligations. Some US states — notably California, New York, Virginia, and South Carolina — aggressively tax former residents who maintain ties to the state. Determining whether you've established a new domicile and severed your state residency is as important as your federal return. We analyse your state tax situation and prepare any required state returns alongside your federal filing.
Get started with your filingWho this is for
- ✓ US expats who previously lived in high-tax states and may still have obligations
- ✓ Americans who left California, New York, Virginia, or South Carolina to live abroad
- ✓ Expats who still own property, have bank accounts, or hold a driver's licence in a former home state
- ✓ Those who moved abroad without formally abandoning state domicile
- ✓ Expats receiving income from state-source investments or rental properties
What this filing may involve
Every situation is different. The forms below commonly apply — your specific filing may vary.
- 1 State income tax return for your former home state (if still required)
- 2 Part-year resident state return for the year you departed
- 3 Declaration of domicile change documentation (in states that require it)
- 4 Federal Form 1040 — state returns build on the federal return
Documents usually needed
- 📄 Documentation of your new overseas address and residency
- 📄 Evidence you've severed ties to the state (sold property, closed accounts, updated driver's licence)
- 📄 Any income sourced from your former home state (rental income, state-specific investments)
- 📄 Prior year state return
How Nomadic.Tax works
AI-assisted preparation with licensed professional review — every time.
We analyse your state residency and domicile status based on your ties to the state
Part-year or non-resident state returns are prepared for any state with a valid claim on your income
We advise on steps to formally establish your new foreign domicile if needed
A licensed CPA reviews state returns alongside your federal return
When human review matters
- ⓘ California's Franchise Tax Board is particularly aggressive — maintaining any ties can trigger a residency audit
- ⓘ New York uses a 'permanent place of abode' test that can capture expats who maintain a home in the state
- ⓘ Simply moving abroad without affirmatively establishing a new domicile may leave you exposed
Deeper reading on NomadIcTax.org, our educational resource site
[INSERT: customer testimonial, e.g. "California expat living in Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, saved money and stress using Nomadic.Tax"]
- California expat living in Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Relevant plans
Choose the package that best fits your situation, or view all plans.
- ✓ Everything in Standard
- ✓ Schedule C & SE for self-employment
- ✓ Multiple income sources and currencies
- ✓ Everything in Premier
- ✓ Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555)
- ✓ Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
- ✓ FBAR filing (FinCEN 114) included
Frequently asked questions about State Tax Filing After Moving Abroad
Do I have to keep filing California state taxes after moving abroad?
Possibly yes — California does not recognise domicile change until you've clearly established a new domicile elsewhere. If you still own California property, maintain a California driver's licence, or have California business interests, the Franchise Tax Board may continue to assert California residency.
What states have no income tax — making expat departure easier?
Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Alaska have no state income tax. If you were previously domiciled in one of these states, there are generally no state returns to file after moving abroad.
How do I formally change my state domicile?
Steps typically include: selling or renting out your state property, obtaining a foreign ID/driving licence, closing state bank accounts, updating your voter registration, and demonstrating physical presence in your new country. We advise on state-specific requirements.