Looking for info on S.D residency, - RV-Dreams Community Forum

CJSX2fromCT · RV-Dreams Family Member

Looking for info on S.D residency,

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know several people whom use SD as there residence for tax filing,Driver licence, mail forwarding etc but there is a small sales tax in SD
I believe its around 4% but almost no yearly vehicle registration fees and no state income tax
apparently its very very easy to set up there. (this is second hand information) the one thing of course you have to be there in person to get a drivers licence (this is obvious as I was scolded by the "barb" for saying such a silly thing) but also to renu it

http://www.americas-mailbox.com/home/tips/vehicle-registration

-- Edited by ticat900 on Wednesday 21st of October 2015 09:30:55 AM

-- Edited by ticat900 on Wednesday 21st of October 2015 10:43:52 AM

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Doesn't matter which state you go with, you have to be present in ALL of them to get your drivers license - - how else would they be able to (1) verify your status, (2) make sure you can see good enough to drive, and (3) get your picture taken.

Barb

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

I don't have any info on SD residency, but if your sole motivation is reducing your tax burden, I'd suggest you rethink your plan. There are other factors that come into play, like healthcare. I see that you aren't Medicare age yet, so if not covered under an employer's plan... you'll need ACA. From what I've read SD is not too FTer friendly when it comes to options for healthcare for those of us in the pre-medicare years. Once you hit 65 things improve for SD residents. Not sayin SD isn't right for your situation, but weigh the whole cost of SD residency not just what you might save on taxes if that is your focus.

FWIW, Brian

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barbaraok wrote:
Doesn't matter which state you go with, you have to be present in ALL of them to get your drivers license - - how else would they be able to (1) verify your status, (2) make sure you can see good enough to drive, and (3) get your picture taken.

Barb

yes for sure, sorry we are all not as smart as the "barb" is (thinks)

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are looking for a SD county without a wheel tax, I believe Pennington County where Americas Mailbox is located is the only one presently without that tax. However, based on emails we recently received from them, they will have to institute at least the minimum wheel tax to continue to receive state highway funding.

This was in an email from Americas Mailbox:
The state of South Dakota has recently passed a bill forcing EVERY county to add a wheel tax so that the county is eligible for bridge and highway repair funds that would otherwise be totally unavailable.

Americas Mailbox has encouraged residents to contact the county commissioners requesting the minimal amount to be added. So, while they still state the "no wheel tax" as an advantage of using Americas Mailbox, that advantage will probably be going away or will at least be diminished based on what the commissioners decide to do.

We've used Americas Mailbox for 2.5 years and it's "okay". Supposedly they are working on adding the option to have your mail scanned so you can select what you want to have sent, I was supposed to be part of a pilot on that but have not yet heard anything. That would be a definite "plus" in my consideration if I were choosing again. I do find their informational emails a nuisance most of the time, they certainly have not learned to be concise with their communications.

Their website does contain a lot of good information, along with their marketing pitch.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

ticat900 wrote:
Barbaraok wrote:
Doesn't matter which state you go with, you have to be present in ALL of them to get your drivers license - - how else would they be able to (1) verify your status, (2) make sure you can see good enough to drive, and (3) get your picture taken.

Barb
yes for sure, sorry we are all not as smart as the "barb" is (thinks)

Sorry that I miss read your previous post. But it is not always that obvious to people and have had several in several different forums ask if they had to go in person to get DL. Don't understand your animosity towards me.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

As noted…Pennington County used to have no wheel tax but that is going by the wayside due to state legislation. We originally went with America's Mailbox in Box Elder and service from them has been pretty good. However…you have to go back there to renew your license…there are some indications on the web site that you can renew your license via internet once but other sections of the web site indicate differently and talking to the county clerks revealed a dearth of info on the matter.

We winter in southern FL anyway…and now that FL allows you to use your mailing service as your domicile address (this wasn't true back in 2012 when we transitioned) we will likely shift to FL registration next fall when we return for the winter.

Chris and Cherie at www.technomadia.com have a detailed article on this process and the things to consider…you have to look at overall cost and not just insurance or health care or taxes…I will do some detailed research this winter but it looks like dollars wise it's about a wash for us and will save us a trip to SD during the winter.

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Chris,

The prior posts are correct, the State is going to hold highway funds hostage until each county adopts a wheel tax, luckily most are a minimum amount ($3.00) and Pennington County (Rapid City area) has been one of the last hold outs but that is soon changing. My county (Custer) put theirs in effect this year ($3).
Prior to going off the road and becoming permanent SD residents we used America's Mailbox in Box Elder for a couple years until health insurance was canceled. I am pretty luke warm on their service. They were great when calling on the phone and forwarding your mail, show up in person and it felt more like the worst day at the BMV. I called one time around 2:00 in the afternoon to ask about picking up my mail in person and they said "no problem, stop in tomorrow afternoon and it will be ready". The gal that was there (owners wife?) was either one of the most unfriendly people I have encountered or was really having a terrible day, but she grunted and got my mail for me (it was in a basket right next to the front desk) and then I found out she withdrew $1.00 from my account the reason saying "I didn't give them 24 hours notice for pick up" I was there shortly after 1:00 pm. She was right, it was 30-45 minutes short of 24 hours but her attitude and so called customer service left me with a really bad taste. They have a large sign above their desk that says "Welcome Home" but I never felt "welcomed" or at "home".

SD is a pretty good choice for domicile though, it is easy to get your registrations/titles and with the proper identification paperwork we walked out with our DL's in less then 15 minutes. The really big thing is if you have to use the ACA Exchange (Obama Care) you can cross SD off your list, it just will not work with a mail forwarding service with the health insurance companies that are on the exchange in SD.

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use My Home Address in Emery. Always satisfied.

In SD you renew every 5 years. However, every other renewal can be done by mail. I just did mine. My Home Address provided the forms. I had to send two documents showing my address. (Bank statement and Cell Phone bill was acceptable). Also had to sent copies of current license. Since I am over 65 I also had to have an eye exam and the doctor filled out a paper. And a receipt showing I had stayed one night in SD in the last 6 months. Since licenses renew on your birthday, they permit getting license up to 6 months in advance. My birthday is in November, would not want to head to here at that time.

-- Edited by phyllen on Saturday 31st of October 2015 05:19:07 PM