Arizona as domicile state - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Arizona as domicile state

DBEANZ · RV-Dreams Family Member

I did a search and still can't find any topics on Arizona as a domicile state. There are lots on SD but we're wondering if anyone uses AZ and what are the pros and cons... Is there a website that helps one choose by giving the rules of each state? We sold our house in June and have been camping in NH for the summer but we're getting reading to head out for the winter months and need to choose what state we will eventually use. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dana I use NH as my domicile state for economic reasons.....Fla and SD seem to run in the favorites as far as taxes and costs as far as claiming domicile.

you have to check each state carefully as to taxation and requirement expectations of the state your looking into or it can get pretty costly.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We lived in AZ from 1990 to 1993 and 1996 to 1999. Not prying, I'm wondering why you are considering AZ as a domicile. We lived in the heart of snowbird country for 6 years. Most people coming in stayed the limit and then took off in every direction. I'm not sure what that limit was in months, either 5 or 7 at that time. They became strict about people who were trying to stay there an extended period without paying into the tax system.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

When researching any tax benefits of a state, be sure and check everything that you can think may be pertinent to you. For instance, some states may not tax certain types of retirement income and others will. When we've considered places, I always remember that while Texas has no personal income tax, they do tend to make up for that in other ways. I remember a time when Texas was way high on property taxes in comparison with Oklahoma, which does have an income tax. However, if one doesn't really own property there, that would not be an issue.

Terry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We very recently sold our AZ home and established residency in SD.

1. Registrations on our fiver, our truck and our car is about 1/3rd the cost of AZ.
2. AZ taxes retirement income.
3. Sales tax in our SD county is about a third of AZ's. significant as we just purchased a new car.
4. SD excuses full-timers from jury duty.

We love Arizona and still plan to spend time there every year but at this time in our lives we're saving a lot by not living there.

Just our experience for what it's worth.

Sherry

DBEANZ · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Sherry for the very helpful information. We'll be spending the winter in AZ and will continue to investigate which domicile state we'll use. SnowGypsy, I have heard that some people use AZ as a domicile state since they do not have income tax and no vehicle inspections. Also drivers licenses are good for many years.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Driver's license are good until age 60 but vision screening is necessary every 12 years for those over 60, the license is good for 5 years. We were living in Pima County and they had vehicle inspections in order to get registered and then they did emissions which caused us to eventually get rid of our older motorhome rather than doing work on it which seemed like we always had to do. AZ appears to still have an income tax and I think they even may tax retirement income but not social security. They have a complicated system compared to other states in trying to figure things out. Also, check the sales tax for the city/county you would be using because some do tax food and medicines. Anymore, most areas are tax-starved as that is the only avenue they have in this economy. I would check the insurance rates too before making a decision.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've did a rather large research project, comparing all the tax (sales & income) status, and DMV info for each state (going to each state's gov't website). I am happy to share this, but need to figure out how to attach a file here (it's in Excel). It was completed in 2011, so may need to be updated.

Until I learn how to upload it, feel free to message me and I'll email it to you.