- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Overseas working military spouse. Help claiming state residency
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
Do you eventually plan to return to VA? Do you vote there (not just registered)? Is that the place you consider as "home"?
What makes you a resident of a state (or country)?
Generally, you're a resident of a state (or country) if you intend to either stay there permanently, or return there after a temporary absence. It's where home is – where you come back to after being away on vacation, business trip, overseas or out-of-state employment, or school. Many factors are considered, not the least of which are where you are registered to vote, own homestead property and are licensed to drive.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
As a military spouse stationed overseas and a resident of VA, you should answer your Personal Interview questions in the following manner.
State of residence is VA (same for your husband)
Do not select "Lived in another state in 2016". That question only applies if you changed your state of residence in 2016.
Military members and spouses are considered to live in their U.S states of residence, no matter where they are stationed (CONUS or OCONUS)
Answer "No" to the question "Did you earn money in any other states?" With some exceptions that do not apply to your situation, your and your husband's income is treated as earned (and taxed) in your U.S. state of residence.
In the Personal Interview > Mailing address and phone number, you can still designate a mailing address in GE (see attached). Sorry, no international phone numbers allowed here - you can use a relative's U.S. phone number or a dummy number (800-555-1212) if needed to efile.
Consider starting VA withholding; it may make things easier.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
If I could piggyback on this comment, I have a similar situation just with one major difference. I am an American living in Germany with a military spouse. I am working on the Germany economy and am paid by my German employer. The last state I lived in prior to moving to Germany was Utah but I never registered to vote in Utah, do not have a Utah drivers license, and do not have any property or any family in Utah and therefore will not be returning to Utah. Prior to Utah, I lived in Illinois. I did not own property there and have no family there, but I was registered to vote there. My IL drivers license has expired and I only have my German license now. My husband’s state of residency is considered Pennsylvania by the military. It was suggested by someone that I could claim PA as my state of residence as well, but I’ve never even lived there before and certainly not earned income there. Because of all of this, why would I still need to have an affiliation with a state? Any help would be great!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Tax help for military filers
Since you're filing a joint tax return with your husband you will indeed claim Pennsylvania as your state of residence, despite having never lived there!
Since you have no real affiliation with any state that makes the most sense. He has to file and pay US taxes normally because he's earning money as though he were still in the US.
You are not. You will take a credit on your federal tax return for taxes paid to Germany for the money that you earned there. So make sure to file your German taxes first before your US return.
You have to have an affiliation with a state to file a joint tax return which will get you the best possible refund.
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"