Community Forums

twogypsies · 05-20-2018, 09:32 PM

Here's how to become a Texan and if you go to Livingston, Texas, home of the Escapees RV Club you can accomplish the whole thing in a few hours, including getting your new address.

As stated above, after you get your initial Texas inspection you don't have to have yearly inspections unless you are in the state longer than 3 days, so basically you can drive straight through without getting another inspection. You can renew online & just check the box that you are out of the state... so no inspection.

You don't have to have an emissions test unless you do everything in a major city such as Dallas or Houston. Livingston - no emission test.

If you do have the inspection it'll take about 15 minutes and there are many places to have it done, such as repair shops, etc.

https://www.escapees.com/education/domicile/texas/

Mudfrog · 05-21-2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Inspections in TX are relatively simple, but they include an emissions test on gas vehicles.
Diesels are still exempt from emissions test. About $25-$35. Need proof of insurance also.
Can't get vehicle registered without an inspection. Many inspection stations statewide.

No emissions test in most areas. I know the Houston and Dallas areas require it and I wouldn't doubt a couple of the other larger populated areas require it as well. A regular inspection does of course, consist of checking for damaged or leaking exhaust system. In my area, the motorhome inspection goes much easier because the inspector doesn't start or drive it. The inspection will pretty much be okayed if tires are good and lights, horn, and windshield wipers work.

The emissions test does add to the cost. Otherwise, inspection on non commercial with no test is $14.50 per year.

sbleiweiss · 05-21-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee

Alaska might be a good choice for you. No income tax and if you pick the right city no sales tax.

How does a state fund itself if it has neither one of these?

NevadaNick · 05-21-2018, 08:57 AM

Nevada vehicle registration is atrocious. Our Phaeton was $4200, pickup almost $1000, and so on.

kcmusa · 05-21-2018, 08:57 AM

https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/retir...rees/index.php

sdennislee · 05-21-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbleiweiss

How does a state fund itself if it has neither one of these?

Mostly from the oil deposits in AK. The permanent fund (oil revenue) distribution, 1/3 to each of these, residents, state, reinvestment

And the revenue from oil leases

saddlesore · 05-21-2018, 10:02 AM

As most states are not set up for the nomadic lifestyle ie: they demand that you have a fixed real estate permanent address (house/apartment) and will not accept a PO Box #.. (Oregon is one that is this way)

One has to look beyond just not having a state income tax..the other legal residency requirements of the various states without a state income tax may be not in your financial favor..

We are looking to use one of the 3 states that have a legal provision for nomad/permanent "in transit" registrations... ie: SD,FL,or TX..

Will be using the Escapee's program as our BIL has been using them for many years with no issues.

old golfer guy · 05-21-2018, 10:14 AM

I'm a bit confused here. Is the poster wanting to move to another state or just register vehicles? We are looking to upgrade to a D. P. I answered an add of some sort from South Dakota and could save about $6000.00 in license and registration form what we would pay in Calif. Don't want to leave here but would like to save money. Is this something that can be done? And if you get caught?

saddlesore · 05-21-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old golfer guy

I'm a bit confused here. Is the poster wanting to move to another state or just register vehicles? We are looking to upgrade to a D. P. I answered an add of some sort from South Dakota and could save about $6000.00 in license and registration form what we would pay in Calif. Don't want to leave here but would like to save money. Is this something that can be done? And if you get caught?

I believe that the question is leaving his "high tax" state, "moving to a nomad friendly state" then living full time in the RV, without a Real estate home in said high tax state.
If you continue to maintain a S & B residence in say Cali. then you must pay all the taxes incurred there me thinks..

Outright ( or even inadvertent) Tax evasion is a serious charge..

Trust me when I say that "3 hots & a cot" with a shower twice a week ain't where you want to go...

pelicanpen1 · 05-21-2018, 11:48 AM

Thanks for all the feedback, and I should have included more info in the original post.

Husband and I are retired, in the process of getting rid of the house and contents, so we can be full timers. But we live in AZ, and they tax your pension.

We are looking at changing our residency to Texas, South Dakota, or Florida because of the "no state income tax" benefit. (Husband is thinking Texas.)

What I want to know is what state is the easiest to change your residency, cost of registrations on a RV, truck, and a motorcycle, mail service, etc.

I did go to Escapees website, and have D/L the info from them, but am curious about your experiences.

twogypsies · 05-21-2018, 03:46 PM

We were Escapees out of Texas for 20+ years. Absolutely no problems and the mail service was awesome. The Escapees RV Club is a lot more than domiciling there. They are truly a full-timer's organization and offer many additional things. Get involved with them for the best overall experience. It's certainly cheap enough per year to be a member.

Dmrad · 05-21-2018, 07:51 PM

We use Florida as our place of domicile also. We use St. Brendan's Isle mail service in Green Cove Springs, Florida. They were great in helping us every step of the way to set up Florida as our domicile, get our Florida Drivers licenses, vehicle tags, etc... Their mail service itself is excellent. Very low cost. They only thing about Florida is the cost of our vehicle insurance was about 2.5 times what we paid in Colorado for the same type of insurance. That was for the truck. Only about a third more for full timing insurance on our travel trailer.

Bamaman · 05-21-2018, 09:19 PM

I am a Tennessee expatriate living in Alabama.

There is no Alabama state income tax on defined pensions or social security income. Sales taxes on cars, RVs and boats is only about 2 1/2%, and there are no personal property taxes on boats. My wife is disabled so our main residence has no property taxes. A $225k house in our county will have $700ish property taxes for most citizens--very low.We

But another ace in the hole is Alabama's very low cost of housing--for us RVers that still have real estate. I cannot think of a more affordable place to live.

jlb27537 · 05-22-2018, 01:33 PM

We have been members of Escapees RV Club since 1993. Used their mail service since 1994. Maybe 2 goofs in all those years. Escapees mail service qualifies as a legal address and the mail service is so large it has it's own zip code. 77399.

The county clerk understands folks travel with the 77399 zip in their address. Voting, jury duty, registration by mail, they understand folks travel.