Dear RVtravel.com,
We’re considering spending a summer in an RV park in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan, and were wondering if there were any tax issues to consider. Do these states charge income tax on retirees who are just summer visitors? —Dave T.
Dear Dave,
Thanks for your question. We are full-time RVers and spend summers in Minnesota and Wisconsin too. We were also concerned about state tax liability, particularly in Minnesota, which has strict residency and income tax laws.
*Please note that we are certainly not tax accountants. Always consult a tax professional for specific tax advice.
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Domicile
Basically, the state that you have permanent residency in is your “domicile.” A domicile is your legal address and is located in the state you pay taxes. You can only have one domicile at a time, but can still be a statutory resident of another state for tax purposes.
183-day rule
In general, for most states, there is a 183-day rule. This means that whatever state you spend more than half a year in, or more than 183 days, you are generally considered a “statutory resident,” regardless of your permanent state of residency or domicile. As a statutory or dual resident, you may be required to pay state income tax.
Minnesota tax residency
A traveler may be considered a Minnesota resident for tax purposes under the 183-day rule, even if you have permanent residency in another state.
You are considered a Minnesota resident for tax purposes if both of the following apply:
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- You spend at least 183 days in Minnesota during the year. Any part of a day counts as a full day.
- You or your spouse rent, own, maintain or occupy an abode. An abode is a residence in Minnesota suitable for year-round use and equipped with its own cooking and bathing facilities.
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If you meet the first condition, but the second condition applies for less than the full year, you are considered a part-year resident for the time the second condition applied.
I have literally counted the number of days we have been in Minnesota or Wisconsin, including days flying up to visit kids and grandkids. We never got close to 183 days, but we save all receipts or have credit card information for both the states we travel in and stay in longer-term, just in case.
Minnesota has begun requiring campgrounds to record the license numbers of RVs and cars. That can determine time within the state for tax purposes. It is not uncommon for states to conduct residency audits. The onus is on the individual to prove residency.
Just visiting
Again, the 183-day rule usually applies, but it is best to double-check the rules in the state you are visiting. It is a good idea, particularly if staying in a state long-term or earning money in a state that is not your domicile, to keep all receipts and track your time spent in that state.
I use a credit card for all transactions and that gives us a record of when we entered and left a state in case of any dispute. We also keep an old-fashioned paper calendar with all the campgrounds and places we travel to for reference.
State domicile evidence
These are generally items that determine domicile:
- Record of time spent in state
- Drivers license
- Vehicle registration
- Voter registration
- Bank or brokerage accounts
- Home ownership or property lease
- Membership in social organizations
- Mailing address
Dual residency
When staying in a state long-term (more than 183 days per year) or earning money in a state, you might be considered to have dual residency. A non-resident can be required to pay taxes to a state, but only taxes on the income earned in that state. Consult your tax accountant if this applies to you.
Some of the things that indicate dual residency are:
- Homes in two states
- Living in one state and working in another
- Relocated to another state on a temporary basis
Flowchart to determine residency
Again, 183 days is a defining point. Missouri uses this flow chart to help determine resident/non-resident status.
Always consult a tax professional if there is any concern about non-resident or resident status and state income taxes. For the most part, maintain a domicile, travel the country, and don’t stay more than 183 days in a state that is not your domicile.
##RVT1026
Thanks for addressing this. It is amazingly hard information to find, and it is amazingly easy to run afoul of “Big Brother”.
“He” has lots of lawyers just sitting around looking for ways to get your money by making Tax Laws so very complicated! Now proposing to lower the “Death Tax Exemption” so you can pay up to 50% tax after you’ve dead on money you already paid tax on while alive.
“Love My Country” , fear my Government.
Ditto!
it is rules like this that will be the downfall of the west. such fragmentation is not cool and destructive. it is a way to enslave people to one spot and waste their time with red tape..the solution is one tax at the country level.
It is important to consult an attorney in the state you are leaving and the state you may be spending extended time in. Their laws are probably different and you need to comply with both or in my case all three, original home state, current domicile state and state where I may spend too much time.
Just another way for someone to stick their hand in your wallet.
For California its only 45 days.
I had no idea! Well, this sure will be the conversation starter for today…thanks for the enlightenment!
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!
WOW! Somehow in planning my entry into traveling with a TT, this part of residency issue never came up !
I had NO idea!.
This certainly changes my plans for long term camping in areas I love.
You as a visitor/worker can also be charged income tax on ANY wages you earn within a state that has income tax laws just like pro athletes who play a game in that state. They pay income tax on their earnings from that evening game in the state in which the game was played.
Exactly right. 183 days is relevant for determining if you are a full-time or part-time resident. It is not always relevant for determining if you owe income taxes for income earned in that state. Some states have reciprocity, so if you work (earn income) in Virginia but live in Maryland, you will only pay Maryland income tax.
Expect more of this type tax action as the various States get to looking at “your” money.
Exactly. And just imagine all of the ways you can be ‘tracked’.
Another part of the question to be answered here might be: if you’re retired and the whole source of your income is monies you earned in another state. And, how about Social Security income? There are more answers here and perhaps someone with a tax accounting background might chime in.
True. The first year I retired I lived part of the year in Oregon and had to calculate a percentage of my retirement pay (federal) I earned while I worked in that state to pay tax on the retired pay. Now I live in a non-tax state. And I have all of my property in a living trust with my son’s address since he is the successor for it.