Military Legal Residence and Home of Record Address

a soldier with two young children

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Many people in the military have heard about the opportunity to change their "legal residence" to a state that does not have an income tax. There are only seven states that do not impose an income tax. States like Florida, Texas, Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming do not have an additional income to the federal income tax that we all pay.

Many of these states have military bases in them, but perhaps not your service branch. It still does not matter, but there are some intricacies to navigating this process to change your legal residence while serving the military. Changing your "home of record" or "legal residence" is something that can be done to obtain a tax benefit, but it is not as simple as it sounds. 

Full Explanation

In the United States Military, there is a difference between the terms "Home of Record" and "Legal Residence." Home of Record and Legal Residence may or may not be the same address. The Home of Record is the place where one was living when they entered the military (or, re-enlisted in the military, if one chooses).

This term is used to determine travel entitlements when one separates from the military. It has nothing to do with voting or paying taxes, registering vehicles, or any of the other privileges of state residency. The Home of Record can only be changed if there is a break in service of more than one day, or to correct an error.

Legal Residency, or "domicile," refers to the place where a military member intends to return to and live after discharge or retirement, and which they consider their permanent home.

Legal residency determines what local (state) tax laws a military member is subject to, and in which local (city, county, state) elections they may vote in. Because military members may have legal residence in one state, but be stationed in a different state, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, allows military members to pay taxes, register vehicles, vote, etc. in their state of legal residence, rather than the state they are stationed in. 

Changing Legal Residence

Can a military member change their legal residence any time they want and therefore avoid paying state taxes? Not quite. Under the law, legal residence is the place that the military member intends to live after they separate or retire from the military. It's the place that they consider their permanent home.

Depending on their service, and local policies, an active duty military member can change their legal residence by visiting their local base legal office and/or base finance office and completing a DD Form 2058, State of Legal Residence Certificate.

However, the military is required by regulation to ensure that military members are not changing their legal residence for the sole purpose of obtaining a tax advantage. Therefore, when changing your legal residence, military officials at the legal office (or finance office) may require some degree of proof that you consider the new state to be your permanent home.

When It Gets Difficult



Unless you can show such clear intentions, the military will probably not allow you to change your legal residence. As stated above, there are some hoops to jump through in order to change the legal residence on your military record and tax forms. You should make sure you thoroughly research the process and do not leave any detail out of the process.

Particular care should be taken to ensure your pay records are up-to-date concerning your state of legal residence. If incorrect, you may wind up paying taxes to the wrong state or paying taxes and penalties in more than one state.

If you have any doubt about your state of legal residence, contact your legal assistance office. You will also be required to complete a W-4 form to determine the amount of withholding or exemption from withholding state taxes if your legal residence is in a state that requires an income tax to all state residents.