Harsher Northern Winters Plus Florida's Sunshine And Tax Climate Equals More Snowbirds Becoming Floridians
BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent colder winters up North combined with Florida's favorable tax climate are causing many more snowbirds than in prior years to become or think about becoming Floridians, according to attorneys Allan R. Lipman and Kelly V. Zarcone, who are both licensed in New York and Florida. Florida not only has more sunshine but unlike New York and several northern states has no income or estate taxes.
What snowbirds qualify to become Floridians if they continue to have a home up North? What if the northern home is larger and more expensive? What if children, grandchildren and close friends live up north? Can you still belong to your northern country club, and keep on using your same bank, stock broker, and physicians? What if you continue to maintain some business contacts up North? What if it is impractical to move items to Florida that are "near and dear"? Is it necessary to put Florida plates on a car that you keep up North? What about your health and car insurance?
Fortunately, Lipman and Zarcone, with an office in Boca Raton, provide answers to the ten questions most frequently asked by northerners with homes in both states who consider themselves Floridians and those who are considering making the change but are not sure that they can qualify. You will find the answers in a complementary 35 minute seminar at www.snowbirdguide.com. View it any time in the convenience of your home. No sign up and no follow up.
Some answers will surprise you. To escape most New York income taxes, you must not be present in New York for more than 183 days in a calendar year. If during the winter you fly back to New York and land at eleven on Friday night and fly back to Florida at seven on Monday morning, you have spent four full days in New York, according to the domicile tax auditors. The theory is that a partial day, no matter how short, is treated as a full day.
Learn more about the steps you should take in 2014 to qualify in 2015. Be better prepared, in advance, if you receive a letter from a northern auditor challenging your domicile change. The attorneys provide over 300 pages of back up material including the latest domicile court cases and a comprehensive check list.
SOURCE Ward, Brenon, Lipman & Zarcone LLP
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