Short term "permanent" address and buying a car

[KM & ST 1]

Okay so both my US wife and I are thoroughly confused about how the system for establishing residence in a state works in the US, and how often you are supposed to do this.

 

Take our upcoming scenario:

 

1. We fly from Denmark to Massachusetts on April 1, at which point I immigrate to the US. 

2. We visit my mother-in-law in Massachusetts for a week.

3. We buy a car in Massachusetts while visiting there (technically we are arranging to buy it before we arrive).

4. We then drive that car to a friend's house in Texas, which will become our permanent residence when we get there (and where I will have my Green Card sent) until we find a house of our own.

 

QUESTION:

In order to buy the car and get it insured for the road trip to Texas, will we need to establish permanent residence in Massachusetts for a week, and then establish a new permanent residence again in Texas when we arrive a week or so later?

 

Any input is greatly appreciated since we are thoroughly confused.

 

[Mike E 11,723]

Whether you will be able to buy a car in Massachusetts without an insurance card and a state of Massachusetts drivers license depends on the laws of the state of Massachusetts.  When buying a car from a dealer I’ve always been required to present a drivers license and an automobile insurance card from that state.  This has been true of Illinois, California, and Colorado.  

[KM & ST 1]

2 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Whether you will be able to buy a car in Massachusetts without an insurance card and a state of Massachusetts drivers license depends on the laws of the state of Massachusetts.  When buying a car from a dealer I’ve always been required to present a drivers license and an automobile insurance card from that state.  This has been true of Illinois, California, and Colorado.  

My wife is able to renew her previous MA drivers license online since it only recently expired. So am I understanding correctly that what you're saying is that you assume she will have to do that and establish "permanent" address at her mom's house to buy the car/insurance?

[Mike E 11,723]

1 minute ago, KM & ST said:

My wife is able to renew her previous MA drivers license online since it only recently expired. So am I understanding correctly that what you're saying is that you assume she will have to do that and establish "permanent" address at her mom's house to buy the car/insurance?

I don’t know what the automobile insurer’s requirements on evidence of residency are, if there are any.  But the dealer is unlikely to let her drive the car off the lot without evidence of an owner’s auto insurance policy. Since she can renew her MA state drivers license, I would focus more on the problem of getting auto insurance, and less on MA state residency 
 

[KM & ST 1]

On a related note, does anyone know what the tax implications are of living in a state for 1 week?

[KM & ST 1]

Just now, Mike E said:

I don’t know what the automobile insurer’s requirements on evidence of residency are, if there are any.  But the dealer is unlikely to let her drive the car off the lot without evidence of an owner’s auto insurance policy. Since she can renew her MA state drivers license, I would focus more on the problem of getting auto insurance, and less on MA state residency 
 

We talked to an insurance company and they had no problem providing the insurance

[Mike E 11,723]

5 minutes ago, KM & ST said:

On a related note, does anyone know what the tax implications are of living in a state for 1 week?

Varies by state. In California it’s simple: you would add up the number of days physically in California (whether residing there or visiting) divided by the number of days in the year and multiply that by your taxable income to get the California taxable income.  
 

I just go to an online tax preparation service and purchase federal and state tax preparation for each state and let the software figure it out. 
 

Since you are moving to a state with no income tax, it is imperative that you establish state residence as soon as possible to avoid MA attempting to claw back income tax on earnings from Texas.  North east states love to raid former residents who flee to Florida and Texas.  

4 minutes ago, KM & ST said:

We talked to an insurance company and they had no problem providing the insurance

Then you have it solved. 

Edited March 8, 2022 by Mike E

[Crazy Cat 39,268]

1 hour ago, KM & ST said:

On a related note, does anyone know what the tax implications are of living in a state for 1 week?

You don't live in a state for a week.......you were visiting.