military spouse residency relief act

[msd 3]

"In 2010, legislation was approved allowing military spouses the option of claiming the same state of residency as their servicemember husband or wife. In the past, military spouses have had to change their state of residency with each new move thereby causing the spouse to re-register to vote, change their driver’s license and re-register any vehicles in their name. This act benefits spouses of servicemembers by eliminating the hassle and paperwork involved in transitioning these items and, in some cases, eliminates multiple state tax preparation for working spouses. Individual states are still in the process of working through the details of the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA); however, spouses should familiarize themselves with how this important change impacts them. Up-to-date information on the status of MSRRA can be found on the Facebook group “Military Spouses Residency Relief Act”."

Okay, so how do I get this home of record?

I don't want to have to get a new DL every time we move.

[milimelo 4,477]

"In 2010, legislation was approved allowing military spouses the option of claiming the same state of residency as their servicemember husband or wife. In the past, military spouses have had to change their state of residency with each new move thereby causing the spouse to re-register to vote, change their driver's license and re-register any vehicles in their name. This act benefits spouses of servicemembers by eliminating the hassle and paperwork involved in transitioning these items and, in some cases, eliminates multiple state tax preparation for working spouses. Individual states are still in the process of working through the details of the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA); however, spouses should familiarize themselves with how this important change impacts them. Up-to-date information on the status of MSRRA can be found on the Facebook group "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act"."

Okay, so how do I get this home of record?

I don't want to have to get a new DL every time we move.

Did you look at the facebook group? They have this link:

http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2010/02/04/msrra-links-state-by-state/

Edited September 13, 2010 by milimelo

[msd 3]

No I did not. Thank you I'll check it out right now!

[belinda63 3,038]

The home of record is the State your spouse has told the military is his home of record. For example my ex-husband, who is originally from Texas, has this as his home of record even though he has since lived, as a military member on Orders, in Louisiana and Kentucky. What the home of record does for the military member, and now as well as the spouse, is allows them to maintain a "legal residence" in that State for tax and other purposes. For example, even while living in Kentucky he does not have to pay Ky taxes because his "home of record" i.e. state of residence is Texas. He is not required to relinquish his Texas Driver's license (most states required you obtain a license where you live within so many days) because he is still a resident of Texas.

Hope I made it a little clearer, I am surprised your spouse was not able to explain this and please check the rules to be for sure as this is a new thing.

[msd 3]

Well I know all this. That's the part he explained. But how do I get a HOR?

Every state wants proof of residence by showing them like,... bills that are sent to your house with the address or something like that. But I won't have those because we don't live there.

I just sent an email to the DMV asking if it's enough to bring him and have him show them his DL, thus proving his residence. And maybe my marriage certificate and spouse ID.

We'll see what they say.

[desert_fox 32]

Well I know all this. That's the part he explained. But how do I get a HOR?

Every state wants proof of residence by showing them like,... bills that are sent to your house with the address or something like that. But I won't have those because we don't live there.

I just sent an email to the DMV asking if it's enough to bring him and have him show them his DL, thus proving his residence. And maybe my marriage certificate and spouse ID.

We'll see what they say.

Are you in the military now??...if so, go over to your personnel section and ask them.

When you enlisted...you established your Home Of Record, from whereever you enlisted from or chose at the time. When you finish you service, they pay to get all your personal possessions bacfk to your HOR.

You vote in the state of your HOR. You pay state income taxes to the state of your home of record, etc.

Most people en uniform choose Texas or Florida...no state income taxes.

[belinda63 3,038]

I think his state of residency is listed on his LES. Take a look and if it is take the LES along with a copy of the law to the DMV.

[msd 3]

No I'm not in the military. I'm a spouse.

I guess what confuses me so is that there is no official place in a state that people go to to "declare" their residency.

Here, you get a piece of paper that says Mrs Soandso is a resident here and lives at this address. With this you can proof your residency to any official government organization and not have to show a utility bill with an address or something equally weird. It's a centralized computer database. We also don't have this huge problem with DL's and addresses on there and having to get a new time every time we move.

Gosh. ^^

Edited September 14, 2010 by msd