To officially become a Florida resident, you must move to Florida, sever as many ties as possible with the state you are leaving, and demonstrate your intention to make Florida your permanent home. Only then can you legitimately benefit from Florida’s generous asset protection laws and lack of an estate tax and individual state income tax.
At a bare minimum, these four crucial steps from my casino adviser will help you in your journey towards Florida residency.
1. File the Florida Declaration of Domicile
A formal declaration of domicile is one of the most straightforward ways to establish your residency in Florida. It declares your intent to maintain a permanent home in Florida. Having “domicile” in Florida means you expect to reside permanently in the state, which makes you eligible for state programs and benefits, including no state income tax, estate tax, or inheritance tax.
Filing a Declaration of Domicile won’t make you a Florida residence on its own. But, it does carry several benefits and is a key first step towards establishing formal residency.
2. Establish a Home in Florida
Declaring domicile is one thing. You actually have to change your domicile to Florida. To do so, you must obtain a residence in Florida by purchasing a home or renting, plus change your mailing address for state and federal tax purposes. If you choose to buy a home, you have until March 1 to apply for the Florida homestead property tax exemption, which will save you money and help as you establish state residency.
On this note, establishing residency means spending and maximizing your time in Florida. You’ll have to spend 183 days or more in the state to be considered a tax resident for that year. Your travel records and utility bills can be used to prove where you spend your time.
3. Obtain a Florida Driver’s License
Transferring your driver’s license to Florida is one of the most crucial steps you can take towards declaring residency. You’ll have to do this within 30 days of establishing residency. If you don’t drive, ensure you get a state-issued ID.
Once you get your driver’s license, the next step is to visit a motor vehicle service centre to register your vehicle in Florida. If your vehicle has an out-of-state lienholder, you must contact them to transfer the title to Florida. Also, you have to get Florida car insurance within 10 days of establishing residency.
4. Register to Vote in Florida
A home address in Florida makes you eligible to vote in Florida. While it’s not a requirement for Florida residency, it’s essential if you plan to participate in local and national elections. You can register to vote once you get your Florida driver’s license.
Other Florida Residency Requirements
Naturally, the longer you live in Florida, the stronger your claim to residency. Some other actions that can help you along the way, following several analyses from experts at online casino nz, include:
Declare Florida residency on a personal income tax return
File a sworn notice of residency with the clerk of the circuit court
Notify the Social Security Administration of your change of address
Move bank accounts to Florida
Register your pets with a Florida veterinarian
Enroll kids in a Florida public school
Transfer religious affiliations to Florida
Get a Florida health insurance plan
Contact an attorney to update estate planning documents per Florida laws
Move your business to Florida