[RightGeek]

write off their state taxes on their federal returns as a charitable deduction

If the charitable contribution is mandatory, it is not a charitable contribution. If it is not mandatory, very few people (even in CA) will do it.

[american_ranger]

California should just pass a law that prohibits people from moving out of the state.

Or make them sign a contract that they will continue to pay California taxes.

[KarlInOhio]

If the charitable contribution is mandatory, it is not a charitable contribution. If it is not mandatory, very few people (even in CA) will do it.

And if you get something of value from your "charitable" contribution, like football tickets for a contribution to a college then it doesn't count as a charitable contribution. So if you get a state tax credit for the entire amount of the contribution it isn't a charity so no deduction for you.

Maybe California could just build a wall to keep rich people in.

[cynwoody]

If the charitable contribution is mandatory, it is not a charitable contribution. If it is not mandatory, very few people (even in CA) will do it.

The obvious trick would be to make the state income tax a payroll tax, like the employer portion of Social Security. That way, your W2 income would come already state-tax deducted. So, you could put the entire $10k federal SALT deduction towards your Prop 13 property taxes.

Or maybe you could just move to Nevada.