I thought this site was long gone, but found it again the other day. It's intended as advice for folks retiring to Florida from Up North, but a lot is good for FTs.

http://www.jones-foster.com/Florida%20Domicile.htm

Thanx, Pete, for this link. We have retained residency, voter registration, etc. in the state we lived in for more than 20 years, so the changes discussed don't apply, but these are all interesting points to ponder if we ever do want to be Texans, SoDakers or Floridians. Regards, L 'n D

What about establishing domicile in New Mexico?
Most people disregaurd New Mexico because of state income tax.
That isn't a problem for me, but, finding pros and cons on
New Mexico is, (except for state income tax).
I have been in New Mexico for a couple of months and like it
here. Am thinking truck insurance and vehicle fees might be
cheaper here, but, not sure.

The sunrises and sunsets here still take my breathe away.

DanM

Remember that as a FullTimer, you pick the state that's most advantageous to you, usually financially, not where you would like to spend time. So that usually starts with state income tax and then veers off into other concerns, ending with estate tax...

For example, you might want to domicile in TX but hang around NM to enjoy the sunsets

What I would do, were I you, is research the forums here, RV.NET, Escapees, and anywhere else you can find, looking for factors to research, such as:

Actual tax rates
Car ins
Med ins
Sales tax (when changing vehicle/trailer)
Estate problems
Residency requirements
DL renewals
Vehicle inspection
Vehicle registration
Physical address problems
Personal property tax

Sometimes, a particular state has good deals for residents (NM used to sell an annual camping pass at state parks to residents; one could camp for a long time dirt cheap).

What you also have to do is find out how much of the above has to be done in person vs by mail. Like, is a smog inspection required to renew registration? Is a new DL photo needed every X years?

Doesn't Escapees have a full-timer park with a buy in deal located in NM?
Seems like someone said not long ago they had some space still available to sell as well.
Maybe someone can jump in here and give you more info on that option.

Thanks for the replies.
Have done several searches. Haven't found much.
Seems most people on the forums only consider states
without state income tax.
Taxes are complicated. Looking at
http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate3.html#TEXAS
Sales tax, New Mexico about 7%; Texas about 8%
New Mexico 2 cents less gasoline tax,
Other taxes vary, state inspection only in the county
where Albuquerque is, based on population of the county.

Couple of auto insurance sites give state average cost of
insurance per insured person.
Doesn't tell you if the "average person" is buying full
coverage for a rolls, or if they have state minimum
liability only.

Will keep doing research, for me New Mexico residency
MIGHT be a good deal.

DanM

Here's a few to get you started:

http://www.retirementliving.com/RLtaxes.html

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/taxesbystate2005/

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/08/real_estat...endly/index.htm

http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ind_inc.html

http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/7ee86c8...787f17fbba5.pdf

http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/c5e4be2...3bb6bf5ceaf.pdf

http://www.homefair.com/homefair/readart.h...p;art=ataxes#22

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/state/state_tax_home.asp

http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/

Also, try:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=...amp;btnG=Search

http://www.myprimeyears.com/rv/yeaw_homebase1.htm

South Dakota is chosen for several reasons.

3% excise tax on vehicles
No state income tax
Americas mailbox
low sales tax
low price to tag vehicles compared to lots of states
Many mail fowarding companies that will help you with titles and plates and other matters
vehicle registration costs and low vehicle insurance costs
no state vehicle inspections

Drivers license: John just got his SD DL and wrote, We just got our drivers licenses. When you go in you fill out a paper with your address and other info. Handed it in with my Ohio license and was not asked for anything else. Took about 2 mins. to type in info then took my picture. Whole thing was over in less than 10 mins. Could not believe how easy it was.

We don't need no more stinkin' Texans.

Seriously, we moved here from Phoenix in 2003 after my wife retired (I had quit working much earlier).

Property taxes, vehicle registration and insurance all cost less than in Phoenix. Sales tax is not much lower, but food and medicine is exempt. For example, we were paying about $500 per year property tax, now we pay less than $100 for the same valuation. Of course, we don't have all the "services" we had in Phoenix.

I'm more than a little surprised that Oregon isn't on a favored list.

It's true they have an income tax, but the way it is calculated for retirees makes it an almost zero expense for me, based on the date on which I retired.

Other benefits include vehicle license fees of about $10 a year, no sales tax, state park pass incentives for residents, etc. And I think one would be hard pressed to find a nicer summer destination.

I've almost talked myself into relocating to Oregon myself, more than once.

It is nice, but property taxes are very high. So as long as you don't care to own property it might be okay. However, the big one....Oregon will tax your retirement, because it's INCOME. There are some ways around some of that.

There aren't any incentives for residents as far as lower fees to use state parks.

Tow Vehicle license fees run $55 for two years (+ DEQ certificate, if needed.. which I think is $12)

Trailer registration is by the foot, for two years:
6 - 10 feet $81.00
11 feet 87.75
12 feet 94.50
13 feet 101.25
14 feet 108.00
15 feet 114.75
16 feet 121.50
17 feet 128.25
18 feet 135.00
19 feet 141.75
20 feet 148.50

And on, and on, and on.

Got a question guys...

If you are a Fulltimer, by definition you are traveling somewhere. I like both New Mexico & Oregon, but...

How would you handle your Mail in the state you are recommending as your Domicile?

OUCH! What would a 25’ cost?

20 feet 148.50
21 feet 155.25
22 feet 162.00
23 feet 168.75
24 feet 175.50
25 feet 182.25
26 feet 189.00
27 feet 195.75


And if you continue to want your DateWeekend plate... that's an additional $40 for two years.

You'd be surprised how many folks don't understand the concept that fulltimers aren't anywhere, they are everywhere, so except for truck/trailer replacement, don't care about sales tax or property tax.

If you are domiciled in SD, you set up with someone like Alternative Resources (they are just one, there are others). If you are in TX, you set up with Escapees. If you are in WA, FL, etc., you do more of your own legwork and set up with UPS Store (aka MailBoxes Etc) or something like that.

http://www.alternativeresources.net/

http://www.escapees.com/index2.asp

http://upsstore.com/products/maiandpos.html

http://www.mydakotaaddress.com/
http://www.yourbestaddress.com/
http://www.alternativeresources.net/
http://www.myhomeaddressinc.com/
http://www.mydakotaaddress.com/
http://www.americas-mailbox.com/
http://www.yourbestaddress.com/
http://www.sdrvmail.com/
http://www.mydakotaaddress.com/

Truck and RV Insurance

For what its worth here are the compare & contrast quotes I received for our Truck and RV Insurance.

• Texas = $1,765/yr.
• California = $1,564/yr.
• South Dakota = $1,342/yr.

Thanks for all the replies and links.
Am currently an escapee, have talked to several people
in some of the parks I've been in that say I could save
money by moving my domicile to New Mexico.
Escapees is working so not in a hurry to change, but,
saving money is always good.

Thanks,
DanM

If your pensions, annuities, wages are from another state, these can be deducted from the state income tax in NM. Mine can not being it is from the state of NM.

Camping Annual Permit (valid 12 months from month of purchase) **It is my understanding the permit get you in but does not cover electrical, etc. the basic Developed site @ $10 a nite rate. Therefore, electric would be $4 extra, etc. AW


New Mexico resident
$180

Senior New Mexico resident age 62 and over
$100

Disabled New Mexico resident
$100

Out-of-state resident
$225

Replacement
$10

Notes: Annual camping permits may be purchased at any state park or at the division's Santa Fe office.


Overnight Camping (per vehicle, per night)

Primitive site
$8
Notes: Primitive campsites offer no special facilities except a cleared area for camping. Sites may include trash cans, chemical toilets or parking. Developed sites offer additional facilities such as electric and sewage hookups.

Developed site
$10

Developed site with electric hookup
$14

Developed site with sewage hookup
$14

Developed site with electric and sewage hookups
$18

Electric hookup with annual camping permit
$4

Sewage hookup with annual camping permit
$4

Electric and sewage hookup with annual
camping permit
$8

Water hookup (where available)
No charge

Thanks for the info. Am currently making my way across the state
staying in a campground for one month and seeing the local sites,
then moving to another town for a month.
May try staying in the state parks and also in BLM land this
summer.
DanM

Hi there,

we are now back on the road after living in Philadelphia for 14 months taking care of my parents. Since our 17 SD Casita "Kat" is our only "home" we have used myhomeaddress.com in South Dakota as our mailing and legal address since July of 2005.

In South Dakota a PMB is a legal address for registering autos, getting a driver's license, voting, etc.

I just voted by absentee ballot in the democratic primary.

There are some county differences as to voting requirements (some require at least one night's stay in SD)and there is some sort of axle tax in some counties.

Remember, as others have said, your legal address is also a matter of intent. I have all my banking, and other finances in SD. I vote in SD, my van and casita are registered in SD.

When i work in other states I am only a temporary resident. YES I do pay state and local taxes on that income, and if the State taxes my meager public school teacher pension, I must pay on it too. I try to never work in a State which will tax my pension and there are plenty that don't or that exclude some of it (from $2000 to some states like PA which excludes $60000 I think). Not sure since that is almost double the exclusion i need.


Anyway, we are at www.meadow-vale.com for most of the summer. Stop by if you are in the area!!

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in late July
Canada (Ontario) two weeks in late August
Leaving here in October and heading South and west after Columbus day weekend in Hickory Run State Park PA

I'm a federal retiree living in Oregon. Because of a lawsuit filed a few years ago Federal retirees receive an additional deduction for state taxes. I have paid no state taxes in Oregon since retirement. Some of you might meet this same exculsion.

Something else to consider when selecting a Florida "residence" location is motor vehicle emission inspection. It is not a big deal if you are living in a fixed location, but if it comes due when you are not there you may have a problem renewing your plates. Plates expire on your birthday so you have no choice of when this occurs. Six of the 67 counties had inspection when I left Florida 8 years ago. There may be more now.

Indeed, that's true.

Also location specific is insurance; clearly, automobile insurance is going to cost more in Miami than in W. Podunk in the Panhandle, so doing the homework will save $$ and fuss in the long run.

Also, even esoteric things like the local taxes on you cell phone can be avoided. Years back, my Sprint zip code was derived from a small city ten miles away, so a city in which I didn't live and in which my Sprint phone didn't even work, was taxing me...

http://www.yald.com/state-cell-phone-taxes-list

That list is old (2005), but know that many cities tax cell phones. In some cases, it's not by domicile or mail address but by where one signed up for the service, so one has some control over this. Boondock town in boondock county with UPS Store is what one is searching for -- You're not going to actually live there...

We have lived in Sarasota Florida for 6 years and it amazes me that there is NO auto inspection of any kind and wondering if that has changed from when you were here. Senior residents (65) do fish for free and use the State campgrounds for half price, however health ins very high as is home ins and auto is not cheap

A lot depends on the weather system. Tampa often gets inversion, so likely they still have it there.

Siesta Key beach has some actual rocks and stuf close to the beach for little pretty fish and snorkeling.