[quote=Djshakes]
I love this state. I am a Producer. For the first time I am actually thinking about leaving.

[/quote]

I have a friend who did just that… but still lives in CA (specifically, in SD). He’s basically a very high-priced consultant and works for himself. No wife, no kids. He incorporated his business in Nevada. His home in SD is held in his business’ name. His driver’s license and tags are from Texas, where his brother lives. His official residence and place of business for tax purposes are in Rosarito (in Baja), where’s he’s owned a home for years. He owns part of a business in Mexico and has an FM3 business visa which allows him to stay in Mexico indefinitely. So, he pays US federal taxes like everyone else, but as far as California is concerned – he doesn’t even exist. Kind of like Keyser Soze. If California ever did manage to figure out that he had some tie to the state, he’d just say that the SD residence, held in corporate name, is for infrequent visits and occasional business purposes – he “doesn’t live there.” He’s fluent in spanish, his doctor, dentist, etc. are all in Mexico, so he personally has almost no traceable ties to CA. And pays zero in CA income taxes, of course. It’s a pretty sweet scam.