Establishing Domicile in a New State

[Pete Dumbleton]

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

[David & Leslie]

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

[DanM]

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

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

[Pete Dumbleton]

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?

[Greg A]

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.

[DanM]

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

[Bigfoot Mike]

Here's a few to get you started:

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

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis...esbystate2005/

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/sta...e_tax_home.asp

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

[Bigfoot Mike]

Also, try:

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

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

[Bigfoot Mike]

South Dakota is chosen for several reasons.
<blockquote>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.
</blockquote>

[Morgan]

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

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.

[Loren G. Hedahl]

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.

[Donna D.]

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.

[Bigfoot Mike]

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?

[Bigfoot Mike]

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.

OUCH! What would a 25’ cost?

[Donna D.]

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.

[Pete Dumbleton]

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?

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

[Bigfoot Mike]

<a href="http://www.alternativeresources.net/" target="_blank">http://www.mydakotaaddress.com/
</a>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/

[Bigfoot Mike]

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.

[DanM]

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

[Adrian W]

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

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