I own homes in CA and NV, have NV DMV license & registration , work occasionally in CA--where am I a resident?

Question

I am retired and want to claim NV as my residence for tax advantages. I spend approximately equal time at both homes. I was told that because I work occasionally in CA, I must claim CA. My husband is not retired and is a CA resident, so all bills, etc. go to our CA address. Can I still claim NV as my residence?

Answer 1

You do not have to claim CA as your residence if you are, in fact, a NV resident.  Merely working occasionally in CA would not necessarily translate into CA residency.  However, I would recommend documenting your ties to NV up the wazoo, because I think you are going to have a difficult time if anybody challenges the assertion that you and your husband live together, but are residents of different states (unless you live apart when he works in CA).

Answer 2

You can claim Nevada as your residence. (I don't use postal codes.)   You do not have to claim California.  Just keep your Nevada license current and vote in Nevada.  Your husband does not have to have the same legal residence as you.

You should have a Nevada bank account and pay your Nevada bills out of that account even if you mail them from California.