Hello pizzadog,
You will not actually deduct your income from the other states, but you will receive a credit for any state taxes you paid to another state on that income. You will need to complete Schedule S and attach that to your California Form 540. Whatever tax you paid to another state will then be allowed as a credit against any tax you owe in the state of California.
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Thank you pizzadog
Would there be any reason why the accountant would deduct the income from the other states off the California return?
Your answer makes sense.
Hello again pizzadog,
If you are a resident of California, then income you have from any state is reported on your California return and your tax liability is then calculated on that income. If some of that income was from another state and you paid state taxes to that other state, those taxes are then allowed to you as a credit on your CA return. If you happened to work in a state that imposes no taxes, such as NV, then of course you have no credit to apply, but that income is still taxable in CA because CA is your resident state.
I know of no reason why income you had from other states would be deducted from your California return, assuming that you are a resident of CA.
Accountant
25+ years tax consulting. Specializing in returns for US citizens living abroad