How long before you're considered a resident of a state?

[svanarts]

More dumb questions from the new guy. My dream is to work temp jobs for Robert Half or similar. They usually have temp jobs that last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. I'd like to work a job in a particular area and then move on to another area of the country and work there. These would be computer consulting jobs. But for those who have worked while full-timing, how long can I stay and work in a state before they consider me a resident of that state and start demanding I pay their income tax and register my vehicles there?

[svanarts]

TurboTax came through again. Here is the answer to the main question I was asking.

TurboTax wrote:
For tax purposes, you are a nonresident of a state if you

Temporarily lived there (with no intention of making it your home), or
Didn't live there during the tax year and received income from that state because you:
Worked there,
Received income from sources located in that state, such as rental property, or
Received income from sources located in that state as a beneficiary of an estate or trust.

Read more here: How do I know if I am a resident, non-resident, or a part-time resident of a state?

[svanarts]

Well, I think I found the answer at least as far as taxation goes. Turbo-tax has a very thorough answer here: When you live and work in more than one state

[kknowlton]

I would guess you might be able to find some specific information on this via each state's website (and I would guarantee every state has one). Car registration requirements can vary widely. Not that, with an RV, you're likely to go to Hawaii, but it at least used to be true that people moving to Hawaii and bringing a vehicle from the mainland had something like 90 days or less to register the car in Hawaii, regardless of whether they were becoming official residents (i.e. even the military had to).

[Houston_Remodel]

Texas has no state income tax

[Old-Biscuit]

svanarts wrote:
Thank you this is good info. I figure I have to pay the state income taxes, that's only fair. What I'm more worried about is having to become a resident of the state I'm working in. I want to be domiciled in Florida but I want to work all over. I'm fine with paying the taxes.

Then set up your 'domicile' in Florida
Mailing address via a mail forwarding service
Change ALL accounts to that FL address------bank, insurance, medical, credit cards
Get Fl drivers license
Register vehicles in FL
Register to Vote in FL
File a declaration of domicile at a county courthouse
Completely separate yourself from current state residency

[rekoj71]

To domicile in Florida is easy to do. If you don't have a fixed sticks and bricks address, Florida has several Mail Forwarding services that you can legally set up domicile at and have your drivers license, car registration, and even get your voting privileges at. They don't have State income tax so you don't have to file state taxes for money earned in Florida, but as you learned you may have to pay state taxes for whatever other state you earned money in assuming that state has state taxes.

[svanarts]

Thank you this is good info. I figure I have to pay the state income taxes, that's only fair. What I'm more worried about is having to become a resident of the state I'm working in. I want to be domiciled in Florida but I want to work all over. I'm fine with paying the taxes.

[HappyKayakers]

Yep, you'll have to pay state income taxes wherever you work. Every state I've had to file for had options for part-time or non-residents. Be careful about the states you work in. Some may want to tax you on all your income, or at least with a formula based on all your income.

As far as being considered a resident, vehicle registration, etc, I believe that is determined based on intent. If you're working for a temp agency, your intent is not to stay there permanently. Your house has wheels. You have a permanent address in another state and/or a domicile letter.

[Old-Biscuit]

Regardless of your 'residency' or 'domicile' State IF you earn money/income in a State you will most likely have to file State Income Tax forms with each State.
As to taxes.....that would depend on amount of monies earned.

This is something you would need to research each States residency & possible tax consequences.

After tax season is over.....make an appointment with any H&R Block Agent.
Will cost you a few bucks but they can access each States requirements.

[svanarts]

So all these people who work while full-timing are becoming residents of the states they work in?

[Naio]

I think states normally have you divide the year, for tax purposes. So if you live and work in state A for 3 months and state B for 6, you pay taxes to A for the 3 months and to B for the 6.

Which sounds like a lot of paperwork.

[Houston_Remodel]

IN Texas, you are a resident if;

1- You get a job here
2- You get a drivers license here
3- You live here more than 10 days

[sdianel_-acct_c]

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Planning-and-Checklists/Multiple-States---Where-T...
this info on Turbotax might help.

[WyoTraveler]

You need a CPA not a RV forum. I'm sure there are exclusions but if you are in a state and have an address and earning money you are a resident.

[wandering1]

As long as you want as long as you have established residency in your home state and have a permanent address in your home state. It also helps to have your vehicles registered in your home state and a bank account in your home state.