Work on the Slope..."live" in another state... (Anchorage: car insurance, income)

[bennnk]

I work up on the North Slope and therefore are in Alaska living and working for more than 180 days a year. I have an Alaska driver's license, car registered in Alaska and my permanent address is in Anchorage. Recently, I got married and my wife lives in the lower 48. Can I stay an Alaska resident (from what I've read I believe I meet all the requirements), fly down on my days off (2 weeks in Alaska and 2 weeks down south) and stay with my wife and still claim Alaska residency? I don't apply for the PFD because you have to report being gone for more than 90 calendar days. I can't seem to find anything that says I'm in the wrong but wanted to hear people's thoughts/knowledge.

[Frostnip]

Not without lying, I'd think. You won't be resident at your Alaska residence.

[AKStafford]

My understanding is that as long as you don't claim the benefits of residency in another state you can. So don't register to vote, don't go for a resident hunting/fishing license, etc in another state. As you said, you wouldn't qualify for the PFD, but you could still be a resident.
Here's the ADF&G definition: Residency Definitions, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

[Alaskan Mutt]

Unless you are maintaining a physical personnel residence somewhere in Alaska as your primary residence, the 180 plus days you spend living in company housing on the North Slope does not qualify you as an Alaskan residence.

[Alaskan Mutt]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

My understanding is that as long as you don't claim the benefits of residency in another state you can. So don't register to vote, don't go for a resident hunting/fishing license, etc in another state. As you said, you wouldn't qualify for the PFD, but you could still be a resident.
Here's the ADF&G definition: Residency Definitions, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

A big question is he maintaining a "home" in Alaska or is his primary "home" somewhere in the lower 48?

[Frostnip]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

My understanding is that as long as you don't claim the benefits of residency in another state you can. So don't register to vote, don't go for a resident hunting/fishing license, etc in another state. As you said, you wouldn't qualify for the PFD, but you could still be a resident.
Here's the ADF&G definition: Residency Definitions, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Most states require you change over your driver's license within a fairly short time frame of moving there. Car insurance and the like will also require his new address. And, if the other state has income tax, he'll probably have to pay it there (assuming he's following the law) which will probably screw up Alaska residency. Also, his non-estranged wife being resident in another state would look very bad for him if it did come to an inquiry, investigation or audit.

OP, why do you want to maintain Alaska residency while you're not living in Alaska?

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

Most states require you change over your driver's license within a fairly short time frame of moving there. Car insurance and the like will also require his new address. And, if the other state has income tax, he'll probably have to pay it there (assuming he's following the law) which will probably screw up Alaska residency. Also, his non-estranged wife being resident in another state would look very bad for him if it did come to an inquiry, investigation or audit.

OP, why do you want to maintain Alaska residency while you're not living in Alaska?

Avoiding income tax would be my guess. Which, of course, might change soon.

[Frostnip]

Originally Posted by Northrick

Avoiding income tax would be my guess. Which, of course, might change soon.

Yeah, in that case, it wouldn't even matter whether or not Alaska allows him to maintain resident status - what matters are the other state's tax laws.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by bennnk

I work up on the North Slope and therefore are in Alaska living and working for more than 180 days a year. I have an Alaska driver's license, car registered in Alaska and my permanent address is in Anchorage. Recently, I got married and my wife lives in the lower 48. Can I stay an Alaska resident (from what I've read I believe I meet all the requirements), fly down on my days off (2 weeks in Alaska and 2 weeks down south) and stay with my wife and still claim Alaska residency? I don't apply for the PFD because you have to report being gone for more than 90 calendar days. I can't seem to find anything that says I'm in the wrong but wanted to hear people's thoughts/knowledge.

Sure it's easy. Lots of people do it. Just maintain a residence in Alaska. At the very least you will need to have a residential address in Alaska, where you can receive mail 365 days a year. Where you actually spend your free time, is nobody's business, but your own.

[jdhpa]

OP, if this is about state income tax you should talk to a CPA in your wife's state. The last thing you want is the government coming to you in 2027 demanding 10 years of back taxes, plus interest and penalties. And they will.