[telchior]

California's attitude toward tax is that if they can strongarm you for money, they will. The state really doesn't care about what's reasonable, moral, or within the bounds of the law as it's written; if they become aware of even a tenuous connection to the state, even if that's just having once lived there, they'll try to tax you.

For those who are considering leaving California: make a list of ALL ways you can cut ties with the state, make absolutely sure you check all those boxes, and document everything.