Declaring an official residence in one state but working in another?

Question

I own a house in one state, but will be renting an apartment in another state where I will be working and have a car registered. Is it possible to declare the first state my official residence? There are significant tax benefits to keeping the state where I own a house as my primary residence. What if I register to vote in the state where I am working (does that change where i can list my primary residence)?

Answer 1

There is no tax definition of "official residence." From your information, you are not living in the home, you are living where you work. From the description you give, the home you own is not your "principal residence" for federal tax purposes while you are living where you work. This may effect the tax on the gain upon the sale of the home.

The states where you own your home and the state where you work have their own definitions of residency. Go to the websites for their Departments of Revenue and see if you would be able to claim residency where you own your home or not. Some states allow you to claim residency if you maintain a home for your personal use, others do not.

The state where you work may consider you a resident of that state for tax purposes whether you want that or not.

Answer 2

No, that will not be possible unless you are a full-time student attending college out-of-state or are active duty military posted outside your home of record.

Your legal domicile is determined by your actions, not what you would prefer to do. In virtually all cases your domicile is where you return at the end of the work day -- where you hang your hat at night so to speak.

There is some wiggle room if you are away from your legal domicile temporarily. If you're simply traveling on business, even for a somewhat protracted stay, your domicile won't change. However if you rent an apartment or home, register your car and / or register to vote, there is no question that your legal domicile has changed.

In most cases there is no tax benefit from living in one state and working in another. Unless the two states have a reciprocity agreement (PA and NJ, for example) you'll pay state taxes at the higher of the two state's rates.

Answer 3

It makes no difference federally. Each state has its own definition of what establishes residency, so check with the two states you will be commuting between. In Oregon, they let you determine residency based on where you consider home, which location you are emotionally invested in.

Answer 4

Residency requirements are determined by the different states.

It won't affect your federal tax return, but it will affect which state you would file as a resident and which as a non-resident.

Answer 5

You should keep your voter registration in line with the state in which you pay property taxes (for your home).

Answer 6

a chum of my son used her food stamp plastic card at grocers on a similar time as traveling right here. we are in Texas and he or she is from someplace up north (Michigan, i think of.) the best individual to ask could be somebody at your community food stamp organization.

Answer 7

you choose