When does the clock start again?

You can go back anytime of course. But I assume you are talking about tax home reassignment. Yes, you would need to take a full year off. Even then, you may need to limit your time back. One thing the IRS will look at if you are audited is where you earned your income. If a consistent plurality of income is earned in the same place, they may make a determination that that is your tax home. Really, if that is what you want to do, you might just as well move there. Your other travel assignments would then eligible for tax-free reimbursements.

Recurring assignments are a tough issue and above my pay grade. I would speak to a travel tax specialist if you have any question. I know TravelTax will do a free consult, and perhaps others specialists will as well.

Thanks Ned. I will ask Travel Tax when they do my taxes this year.

Most definetely don't want to make this my permanent home - it's very expensive,plus I just bought a condo in my hometown. It's all new and exciting right now, but in 6 months or so I will probably be ready to move onward.

Going to hijack my own thread here-Ned, I thought of you today - my recruiter called today and said he has a ton of openings in Bakersfield, Ca and I can work all the OT they I desire. Bakersfield seems like a boring area from what I've read. Have you ever done an assignment there?

No, no desire to ever work in the central valley. Although I did do an assignment I enjoyed in Chico, but that is very different than Bakersfield and Fresno. If you work lots of OT, I suppose it doesn't matter too much where you work - just make sure you get a good rate. Some travelers go back there again and again so how bad could it be? Driving through is more than enough for me.