top of page
Blog


Leaving New York for better taxes? How the State Tracks Former Residents and What It Takes to Prove You Actually Left (2026 Guide)
New York maintains over 300 dedicated residency auditors whose sole job is to challenge people who claim they moved out of the state. Between 2010 and 2017 alone, the state conducted approximately 3,000 residency audits per year and collected over $1 billion in back taxes from former residents who could not prove they actually left. The average assessment per audited taxpayer exceeded $144,000. The math behind that enforcement is straightforward. The top 1% of earners pay rou
5 days ago13 min read


New State Safe Harbor Rules for 2026: Which States Changed Their Tax Rules for Remote Workers and Business Travelers
If you travel across state lines for work, 2026 brought some of the most significant changes to nonresident tax rules in years. Multiple states enacted new safe harbor laws that took effect on January 1, 2026, fundamentally changing when a business traveler or remote worker triggers a tax filing obligation in a state they visit for work. For anyone who splits time between states, whether you are a consultant visiting clients, a sales rep covering a multi-state territory, or a
Apr 913 min read


Moving to Puerto Rico for Act 60 Tax Benefits? The 183-Day Presence Test That Makes or Breaks Your Exemption (2026 Guide)
Puerto Rico's Act 60 is one of the most powerful legal tax strategies available to U.S. citizens. Zero percent tax on capital gains, dividends, and interest. A 4% corporate tax rate for export service businesses. No requirement to renounce your citizenship or move to a foreign country. On paper, it sounds almost too good to be true. But there is a catch, and it is a big one. To qualify, you must become a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico, and that means passing a strict physi
Apr 812 min read


Leaving California? How the FTB Tracks You Down and What You Need to Prove You Actually Left (2026 Guide)
California has the highest state income tax rate in the country at 13.3%. Every year, thousands of high earners, retirees, remote workers, and business owners leave for no-income-tax states like Florida, Texas, and Nevada. And every year, the California Franchise Tax Board comes after a significant number of them, arguing they never really left. The FTB does not simply take your word for it when you claim you moved. They have built an aggressive, well-funded audit machine des
Apr 612 min read


7 States Can Tax You Even If You Never Set Foot There: The Convenience of the Employer Rule Explained for 2026
Working remotely from Florida for a New York company? You may still owe New York state income tax. Learn which 7 states enforce the convenience of the employer rule in 2026, how it affects remote workers, and how iReside helps you document your work location for audit defense.
Mar 3110 min read


The $132,900 Question: Physical Presence Test vs. Bona Fide Residence Test — Which FEIE Method Saves Expats More in 2026?
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets US expats exclude up to $132,900 in 2026 — but only if you qualify. This guide compares the Physical Presence Test and the Bona Fide Residence Test, explains how to count your 330 qualifying days, and shows how iReside automates the tracking.
Mar 3111 min read


How States Are Using Your Smart Meter and Cell Phone Data to Prove You Didn't Really Move: Tax Residency Audits in 2026
State tax agencies now subpoena smart meter data, cell phone tower records, and credit card transactions to prove you never really left. Learn how GPS-based residency tracking with iReside is the best defense against modern digital audits.
Mar 3111 min read


Why iReside is the Best Alternative to TaxDay in 2026
If you have been using TaxDay to track your state residency days and are looking for an alternative, you are not alone. Since mid-2025, a growing number of TaxDay users have been searching for replacement apps after experiencing reliability issues following a platform migration. Whether you are frustrated with TaxDay's performance, its pricing, or simply want to explore what else is available, this guide compares TaxDay to iReside and explains why iReside has become the go-to
Mar 296 min read


The 183-Day Rule Explained: Your Complete State-by-State Guide to Tax Residency in 2026
Confused about the 183-day rule and state tax residency? This comprehensive 2026 guide breaks down every state's residency threshold, how days are counted, how states track you with cell phone and smart meter data, and how GPS-based tracking apps like iReside protect you from costly audits.
Mar 2916 min read


How to Maintain Florida Residency Once It's Established (2026 Guide)
You did the hard part. You moved to Florida, filed your Declaration of Domicile, got your Florida driver's license, registered to vote, and updated your address everywhere. Congratulations! You 're officially a Florida resident. But here's what nobody tells you: establishing Florida residency is only half the battle. The real challenge is maintaining it year after year, especially if you still travel frequently, own property in another state, or have business ties up north.
Mar 258 min read


Living in NYC but Traveling for Work: The Multi-State Tax Problem Nobody Warns You About
If you live in New York City and travel to other states for work — whether you're a consultant flying to client sites, a sales rep covering a multi-state territory, or an executive visiting branch offices — you may have tax obligations in states you've never thought about. Most people assume they only owe taxes where they live. That's wrong, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be expensive. New York City residents already face some of the highest personal tax rates i
Mar 228 min read


Tax Implications of Living in New Jersey but Working in New York City
Downtown Manhattan If you live in New Jersey and commute to New York City for work, you're dealing with one of the most complicated tax situations in the country. Millions of people make this commute every day, and most of them don't fully understand how their taxes work across the two states — or how much money they might be leaving on the table. The short version: you owe taxes to both states. New York taxes you because you earn income there. New Jersey taxes you because yo
Mar 2210 min read


The 183-Day Rule Explained: A Complete Guide to Tax Residency (2026)
If you split your time between multiple states, the 183-day rule is the single most important tax threshold you need to understand. Cross it in the wrong state and you could owe an entire year of income tax to a jurisdiction you never intended to call home. Stay under it with proper documentation and you keep control of where your tax dollars go. This guide explains everything you need to know about the 183-day rule for tax residency in 2026, including how the IRS and indiv
Mar 1910 min read


Best App for Tracking International Tax Residency in 2026
If you live, work, or travel across international borders, your tax obligations do not stop at the airport. The country where you are considered a tax resident determines whether you owe income tax on your worldwide earnings, and getting that determination wrong can trigger double taxation, penalties, and years of back filings. For American expats, digital nomads, remote workers, and global business professionals, tracking exactly how many days you spend in each country is no
Mar 1612 min read


Best App for Tracking State Residency for Tax Purposes in 2026
If you earn income in more than one state or split your time between multiple residences, tracking where you spend your days is not optional. It is a legal and financial necessity. The state you reside in determines where you file taxes, what rates apply to your income, and whether you owe thousands of dollars you were not expecting. For years, taxpayers relied on calendars, spreadsheets, and memory to manage this. That approach does not hold up anymore. State revenue departm
Mar 1610 min read


What Proves Residency in North Carolina?
If you have recently moved to North Carolina or split your time between multiple states, one of the most important questions you need to answer is: what actually proves residency in NC? The answer matters more than most people realize. Your state of residency determines where you file taxes, what tax rates apply to your income, and whether you qualify for in-state tuition, voting rights, and other state-level benefits. Getting it wrong can lead to unexpected tax bills, penalt
Mar 166 min read


Texas Residency Requirements for Tax Purposes
How to establish Texas residency, avoid statutory residency in other states, and document your move properly Texas is often viewed as one of the most attractive states in the United States for individuals seeking tax advantages. One of the primary reasons is simple: Texas does not impose a state income tax . For many people relocating from high tax states such as California or New York, establishing Texas residency can significantly change their tax situation. However, establ
Mar 76 min read


What is the Meaning of a Tax Resident?
When people hear the term tax resident , they often assume it simply means the place where someone lives. In reality, the concept of tax residency is much more technical and can have major financial implications. Governments around the world use tax residency rules to determine who must pay taxes, where income must be reported, and what tax obligations apply. Understanding the meaning of tax residency is especially important for people who travel frequently, live in multiple
Mar 66 min read


Tax Residency Requirements
Tax residency requirements are one of those topics that feel simple until you actually need a clear answer. You might be moving to a new state, splitting time between two homes, working remotely across borders, or planning travel, and suddenly the question becomes urgent. What are the tax residency requirements in the United States?What about state residency requirements?What about international tax residency requirements when you spend months abroad? This guide explains tax
Mar 58 min read


How to Determine State Residency for Tax Purposes
If you have moved states, split time between two homes, traveled constantly for work, or moved from a high-tax state to a low-tax state, you have probably asked this question: How do you determine state residency for tax purposes? State residency sounds simple until it is not. In the U.S., state tax rules can be strict, inconsistent, and heavily fact-based. And when the stakes are high in states like California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, residency is one of the
Mar 56 min read
bottom of page