Permanent Address issues

BigT · Mar 22, 2015

It seems that you do have a dilema. Under your current arrangement, it would seem that you are legally an itinerant nurse. Ideally, you should have not rented your permanent house fully, but rented a portion of it so as to retain a permanent address, tax home and address for your compact state license. Having lost your established address and tax home, it would seem that you should establish a new one before you lose your compact license status and your tax home. Losing these will require you to obtain a license in any state you work in and will incur a heavier tax burden as well. I am not a tax advisor nor expert in any nursing license issues but offer my advice for the two cents its worth...

caliotter3 · Mar 22, 2015

I have used a rental mailbox for many years and have all of my bills go there as well as other important mail. No problem whatsoever. For a small mailing fee, you can have the UPS clerk forward the mail to your travel location on a regular basis (three times a month on set days of the month works well). I do not use the four line address with "POB". I always write the address as a normal address. On forms, the box number takes the place of apartment number. Using this method gives an added layer of security to your mail.

caliotter3 · Mar 22, 2015

BTW, for all purposes, my mailing address is my permanent address. Have not had problems with this yet.

NedRN · Mar 22, 2015

I agree with BigT, without a home, you are itinerant and all your compensation will be taxed. That is not necessarily a bad thing, check out articles on PanTravelers and TravelTax about the joy of being itinerant. For most travelers though, a tax home is worth about $10,000 a year in bankable money.

Almost 100% of your mail can be eliminated. Since you are posting this online, you know we have the internet now? All my bills are paid automatically every month but I can review them online. Your renters can deposit rent into your bank account or your property manager can take care of it. First class mail is basically extinct, all that is left is the very rare legal notice from the IRS, county, or nursing board. Do you have a family member that can take care of that? Getting the right renter can also help.

Third party services who will open your mail and email or fax you a pdf, and then forward originals (I haven't needed an original document in decades) are great, but will cost you hundreds of dollars a year. People use them, so obviously there is a need for such services, but I'd bet most non business customers are wasting their money.

Just my opinion! I hate bills, and even more I hate late fees. So everything is done automagically!

m2736185 · Mar 28, 2015

So if you rent out your home you cannot have the tax benefits?

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

I think the OP meant that THEY were renters of their current home, not that they rented it out.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 28, 2015

So if you rent out your home you cannot have the tax benefits?

If you do not have duplicate living expenses (renting on assignment plus expenses to maintain your permanent home) you are not entitled to the tax benefits. If your permanent home is rented and the renters pay all utilities and the rent covers mortgage & taxes you do not have duplicate expenses.