Buying a new vehicle

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I started travel nursing to be closer to my now husband (he's in the military). We are both from Nebraska. I took an assignment near his base in North Carolina. We married, and now I have accepted an extension. We have gotten an apartment together, and after my extension is up, I plan on making Nirth Carolina my new tax home.

My my question is: if I buy a new (or new-to-me) car, will I have to drive it all the way back to Nebraska to register it? Or can I register it in North Carolina and still claim Nebraska as my tax home? Also, if I register it in North Carolina, I will likely need a NC drivers license, right? Does that make my Nevraska tax home invalid?

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While getting my taxes done this year, I was advised to keep my car registration in my tax-home state in case I get audited, it would support the case. Same goes for your driver's license.

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Tax home is about intention. You can signal that in a number of ways, including registering vehicles in another state, or cohabiting with your husband. Chances are that you are not renting a place in Nebraska anyway? If that is the case, you have already abandoned your tax home.

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I still rent in Nebraska. I haven't moved any of my things from my tax home in Nebraska. But I plan on moving little by little to North Carolina during my extension.

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I might suggest talking to a tax specialist. I know there are special military statuses as far as tax homes and residency that may impact your decisions.

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So, here's an update in case anyone was following this. I did end up registering in NC as a non-resident, which I can do since I am the spouse of a non-resident military member. In the end, it does not support NE as my tax home, but it doesn't retract from it either.

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