An additional caution. Defer income such as windfalls until you are truly a Florida resident if you are coming from a state that has a state income tax. I bought a house in Florida and moved into it after I retired. I got a substantial bonus after I retired and was living in Florida. I did not change my employment registered address and thus they deducted state income tax from that bonus and sent it to Massachusetts. I had not yet gone to all the Florida resident steps and had no basis that Massachusetts would accept.
Thus, I would caution you not to accept simplistic advice regarding this issue. Make sure that your employment address properly reflects Florida as your residence, take all necessary steps to make Florida your residence. Florida residence affects more than a homestead allowance on your home. It can affect being taxed on income by your previous state. Once they have the money, it then becomes your task to try to get it back.
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