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Old 11-11-2012, 08:08 AM   #1
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Domicile questions

I've been given the OK from my work to take my telecommuting to the next level, and work from anywhere, beginning in the spring of 2013. I'm very excited to be given this opportunity, since I love to travel, and have family all over the place. I'm selling my house, so will not have an address in Iowa any longer.

My question is, is there a way for me to keep my domicile address in Iowa? I need to do this for my health insurance through my work. So, using a service like the one offered by Escapees would change my address to TX, wouldn't it? I want to continue to pay taxes, register my vehicles, etc all in Iowa. I have searched forums, DOT site, etc, and I can't find exactly the answer I was looking for. There is a ton of info out here on domiciles, but I'm not retired, I'm not working in other states, I just want to work for my company from my RV, with no sticks and bricks house in my name. And, one of the stipulations I found is that I need a street address to vote in IA, and that's very important to me.

If I use a service like Mailboxes, Etc, they do give an actual street address, but is that good enough for what I need to have?

I'd thought about asking my son if I could just use his address, and have him forward my mail, but he just moved back in w/my ex-husband, so using that address would be...awkward....And, I have no other family or friends in IA that I want to burden with dealing with my mail.

I know that after I retire, this may be a whole different conversation, but I'm still several (not going to say how many!) years out from that date. For now, I just don't want to jeopardize my benefits, etc.

I realize that this forum can't answer every question I will come up with, but if someone could just point me in the right direction? Should I call an accountant, an attorney, a tax specialist, all of the above? I asked my work, and since I'm their very first "IT Nomad", they don't have any experience with what to do in my situation. They just said that I need to be aware that they are still wanting me to live in Iowa on paper. Since I don't want to rock the boat on their first attempt at this, and possibly lose my chance to go on the road, I'd like to try to get some answers before I just jump into this, and end up with a mess.

Thanks for any feedback, and I apologize if the answers to my questions are actually out there, and my inept searching just missed them, or I didn't understand what they were saying...
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Old 11-11-2012, 08:36 AM   #2
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Hi and welcome to the forum.

It seems to me that the only question is whether or not the mailing address issued by Mail Boxes Etc would be sufficient to qualify you for a driver's license and voting in Iowa. Everything else seems pretty straight forward and I see no reason you couldn't remain an Iowa resident.

When we went with Escapees, the address they issued was readily accepted by Texas and I'm betting the same will be true with MBE.

Best of luck

Rick
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Old 11-12-2012, 07:46 AM   #3
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Rick,

Don't be so sure - some states will not recognize a private mailbox as a valid address for voting purposes. You will need to check with the local elections board to see if that is recognized by them, but don't be surprised if it isn't. The Texas address is recognized because Escapees went to court to get it recognized, and regularly monitors any challenge to our rights. Are you going to be going back to Iowa for a certain number of weeks each year (visit the office, do annual physicals, etc.) for the forseeable future? If so, then you might be able to work out a deal with the park where you will stay each year to use their address as your physical address and then use the PMB as your "mailing" address.

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Old 11-13-2012, 09:54 AM   #4
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Thanks, Barb and Rick for the replies! I'll make inquiries on the acceptance of addresses with the election folks. And, I think I'll stop by Mailboxes, etc, to chat w/them about their options, and whether or not they have some concrete documentation on using their addresses for what I need.

Good idea about asking the IA park I'll be using, as well. Haven't hit on a good one, still doing research on the sites that give ratings and reviews. There are some nice parks around here, so I'm sure I can find a reasonable place to park up for the times I do need to make my presence known.

I'm so excited to get started, I can't hardly stand myself! I imagine my friends/family are probably getting tired of hearing me ramble on about my plans...

And, I can't get over how much useful information can be found on this site! Thank you so much for your feedback.
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:53 AM   #5
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My understanding is that a mailing address does not necessarily establish a domicile. We maintain mailing address in three different states, but only are domiciled in one. Homeless people can register to vote in most locales. I just worked the polls at a local precinct in FL. A couple of people voted with official addresses under a highway overpass. Call the local election board and ask what you have to do.

IMO, as long as you find out from IA what to do about registrations and licenses, and comply you will be OK. After all, the state wants your business. I think your concern may be to make certain that you do not stay and work from one place in your travels that the new state thinks you should register and pay taxes there. DW works remotely from an office and we travel half a year. A couple of states we stop in regularly have some pretty tight regulations regarding living/working there, and registering vehicles and getting a driver's license. We watch our stay time there - do not want to become a test case regarding residency.
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Old 11-14-2012, 10:16 AM   #6
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I have had good luck, and service, from small mailing/mailbox, owner operated, places.

All I have to do is call or email them where to forward my mail. My current domicile is Nevada, and my official address is a street address that is in reality a private mailing service with mailboxes, and that address is on my drivers license.

Ed
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Old 11-25-2012, 07:17 AM   #7
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Check out Scott County park just North East of Eldrige, Iowa The RV park is great and open all winter. You will not have water, but the main building is heated and open as well. We hope to be spending some time there soon, a nice winter get-a-way. We are not full timing yet, but close. We will keep a P O office box here in Iowa. We have a heated building and will be using that as our home base. So, we will have a street address as well, just a building and garage, no house.

Good luck and enjoy!!

Karl and Janet 2006 Zephyr 44QDZ
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