[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by davephan

If your snow bird goal also includes stop paying income taxes in your snow belt state, be careful! Your snow belt state might not want you to stop paying the income taxes, even if your are away from your snow belt state for more than six months, plus one day.

For example, in Minnesota, there are 26 “intention” factors. These are things the state could use to force you to continue to pay the state income taxes. The factors include things like where you are registered to vote, churches or club memberships, including gyms, where you register, insure, and store vehicles. The state also has the “right” to know what you told your insurance company.

Your snow belt state might also use tactics like that to try to force you to continue to pay the state income taxes. I’ve heard that New York, California, and New Jersey are the most aggressive for forcing you to pay their state income taxes. I’ve heard that some states also consider when you visit your snow belt state, such as during holidays when families get together! Don’t just assume that being away from your snow belt state six months plus one day, will free you from paying the state income taxes!

It seems that if you changed your residency to Florida that they would have no power to force you to pay income tax.

Another option might be to sell the house up north and rent something for the months that you want to be up there.