
The IRS doesn't usually care whether you move every six weeks or live in one house for years. Wherever you live in the United States, federal taxes are the same. Moving between states or working in two states may, however, require you to pay income tax to two state governments. Even if you do have to fill out two sets of tax forms, though, you don't have to pay tax on the same income twice.
Domicile
If you spend time in two states during the year, you can't pick which one is your real home by flipping a coin. If you have your driver's license, voting registration and car registration in one state, legally that one's your home -- your domicile, in legal-speak -- unless and until you sign up to drive and vote in another state. This can affect not only your taxes but things such as your children's right to get in-state tuition.
Out-of-State Work
If you live in one state and work in another, you have to pay taxes to both governments. States with no income tax, such as Florida, are exceptions. You file a non-resident tax return with the state where you work to report whatever income you earn there. When you file in your home state, you report all your income but claim a credit for your out-of-state tax payment. Some states have reciprocal tax agreements that allow you to file tax in your home state only.
Moving
When you pull up stakes and move partway through the year, taxes are simpler. If you move from, say, Georgia to North Carolina, you pay Georgia taxes on what you earned in Georgia, and North Carolina taxes on money you make after the move. If you want to stay a Georgia resident because it's a better tax deal, you have to avoid making any of the changes that would shift your domicile to North Carolina.
Special Situations
Military members are a special case. It doesn't matter which state you're stationed in: you only have to file one tax return, and that's with the state where you're domiciled. Another special case is when you move to a new state to take a new job. If it's at least 50 miles further from your home than your old job, you may qualify to write off your moving expenses from your income taxes. The state you move to may allow you to write off moving costs too.
References
- Gaebler.com: Income Taxes if You Work Out of State
- Wall Street Journal: Filing Your Taxes After a Big Move
- Military.com: Filing Taxes When a Servicemember Is Deployed
- Harvard Law Review. "Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Wynne." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Michigan Department of Treasury. "Are My Wages Earned in Another State Taxable in Michigan if I am a Michigan Resident?" Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Arizona Department of Revenue. "Withholding Exceptions." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Illinois Revenue. "What If I Live or Work in a State That Has a Reciprocal Agreement With Illinois?" Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- State of Indiana Department of Revenue. "Information Bulletin #28 Income Tax November 2016." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Iowa Department of Revenue. "Iowa - Illinois Reciprocal Agreement." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Kentucky Department of Revenue. "103 KAR 17:140. Individual Income Tax - Reciprocity - Nonresidents." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Comptroller of Maryland. "Administrative Release No. 37: Subject: Domicile and Residency." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Minnesota Department of Revenue. "Reciprocity Exemption/Affidavit of Residency for Tax Year 2019." Accessed Sept. 28 2020.
- Montana Department of Revenue. "North Dakota Reciprocity Agreement." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- State of New Jersey Division of Taxation. "NJ Income Tax – PA/NJ Reciprocal Income Tax Agreement." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner. "NDW-R." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Ohio Department of Taxation. "Employee’s Statement of Residency in a Reciprocity State." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. "REV-419 Employee’s Nonwithholding Application Certificate." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Virginia Tax. "Reciprocity." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- West Virginia State Tax Department. "West Virginia Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate Form WV/IT-104." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue. "Individual Income Tax Working in Another State." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- Michigan Department of Treasury. "Federal Military Spouses Relief Act." Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
- State of New Jersey Division of Taxation. "Filing Status." Page 2. Accessed Sept. 28, 2020.
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A Durham, NC resident, Fraser has written about law, starting a business, balancing your budget and fighting evictions, among other legal and financial topics.