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Domicile question


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We are full timers and have Texas as our domicile. I'm starting to want to research places for when we get off the road someday and am very drawn to Arizona's climate. My fear is that if we purchased a lot (or park model) in Arizona we'd have to say goodbye to our lovely tax break that Texas provides. Don't get me wrong, I'll be looking into places in Texas as well in my consideration for a landing place...but that doesn't present a problem.

 

If we were to purchase a lot through Escapees in Texas and then also have a lot in another state, does that protect our domicile issue? Or are we just muddying the waters in doing this. I suppose as long as we just continue to rent places to stay it's not such a big deal, but it might be nice to actually own something somewhere in the future.

 

Just looking ahead and would appreciate any and all comments and thoughts on this.

The Queen Jester, traveling with her husband, Left Brain in their RV named Seymour (See More...get it?)

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No issue with owning property in Arizona, it will not impact your domicile elsewhere.

 

Only Arizona issues are staying too long or working in state. Then you are subject to part-year income tax and possibly need to pay AZ vehicle taxes.

 

We simply kept a log book that showed how long we were in AZ each year so that if asked we could show we were not breaking the AZ rules. Probably wouldn't even have done that except we were prior residents of AZ before moving to SD and had already had an AZ domicile issue years before we started RVing full time.

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

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....

If we were to purchase a lot through Escapees in Texas and then also have a lot in another state, does that protect our domicile issue? Or are we just muddying the waters in doing this.

 

Your protect your Texas domicile by not spending more than 6 months (183 days) in any one other state per year (or whatever the residency time limit is in that other state state, some are a bit shorter or longer). Also, in some states, taking paid employment with an in state employer can make you a resident immediately.

Likewise, doing a few other specific actions in any state, can make you an immediate resident, like registering to vote in that state, enrolling children in school, applying for homestead exemption, applying for in-state tuition, etc.

You won't get in trouble from the Texas end. Its the other state, especially if its an income tax state, that will automatically claim you as a resident if you overstay your short term temporary visit.

Whether you own property or homes in all 50 states at the same time has nothing to do with your domicile state, if you only visit those homes for short terms stays.

Jim

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I agree with the previous posts so there is no point in repeating the same information. I do believe that you might find this article on our website which was published in Escapees Magazine to be of some help in understanding the issue. Most state laws do not actually address domicile but use the term residency and while one can have more than one residency, only one domicile is valid.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

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I want to thank all of you for your advice and comments. The article by Kirk really wrapped up the subject nicely. Now I'm not afraid to own something that I'll only be in for short periods of time. The mystery has been solved!

The Queen Jester, traveling with her husband, Left Brain in their RV named Seymour (See More...get it?)

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