Do remote workers and digital nomads have to pay state income tax?

Yes, unless you have formally terminated tax residency in your former state and established bona fide domicile in a zero-income-tax state (like Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, or Wyoming). States like California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts operate aggressive 'sticky domicile' rules: simply traveling abroad or living out of an Airbnb does not terminate your state tax residency if you maintain property, voter registration, bank accounts, or close family ties in that state. To legally eliminate state income tax, you must establish an unequivocal new domicile by residing in a no-tax state for 183+ days, swapping your driver's license and vehicle registration, and executing an affidavit of domicile.