Iowa Admin. Code r. 701-300.17

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 701-300.17 - Resident determination

For Iowa individual income tax purposes, an individual is a "resident" if:

(1) the individual maintains a permanent place of abode within the state, or

(2) the individual is domiciled in the state. An individual who is determined to be a "resident" of Iowa is subject to Iowa income tax on all the individual's income for the taxable year, no matter whether the income is earned within Iowa or outside of Iowa, except when an item of income is specifically exempted from taxation by a provision of federal or Iowa law.

(1)Permanent place of abode. The establishment of a permanent place of abode requires the maintenance of a place of abode over a sufficient period of time to create a well-settled physical connection with a given locality. Significant factors, among others, to be considered in determining whether an individual maintains such a permanent place of abode are:

(1) the amount of time the individual spends in the locality;

(2) the nature of the individual's place of abode;

(3) the individual's activities in the locality; and

(4) the individual's intentions with regard to the length and nature of the individual's stay.

There is a rebuttable presumption that an individual is maintaining a "permanent place of abode" if the individual maintains a place of abode within this state and spends more than 183 days of the tax year within this state. The term "place of abode" includes a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home, or other dwelling place maintained or occupied by the individual whether or not owned or rented by the individual. Situations where presence in the state for 183 days of the tax year may not cause an individual to be considered to be maintaining a "permanent place of abode" would include situations where presence in the state is not voluntary, such as confinement to a correctional facility or an extended hospital stay.

(2)Domicile. An individual is "domiciled" in this state if the individual intends to permanently or indefinitely reside in Iowa and intends to return to Iowa whenever the individual may be absent from this state. Individuals who have moved into this state are domiciled in Iowa if the following three elements exist:

(1) a definite abandonment of a former domicile;

(2) actual removal to, and physical presence in this state; and

(3) a bona fide intention to change domicile and to remain in this state permanently or indefinitely. Julson v. Julson, 255 Iowa 301, 122 N.W.2d 329, 331 (1963).

Every person has one and only one domicile. Domicile, for purposes of determining when an individual is "domiciled in this state," is largely a matter of intention which must be freely and voluntarily exercised. The intention to change one's domicile must be present and fixed and not dependent upon the happening of some future or contingent event. Because it is essentially a matter of intent, precedents are of slight assistance and the determination of the place of domicile depends upon all the facts and circumstances in each case.

Once an individual is domiciled in Iowa, that status is retained until such time as the individual takes positive action to become domiciled in another state or country, relinquishes the rights and privileges of residency in Iowa, and meets the criteria set forth from Julson v. Julson, 255 Iowa 301, 122 N.W.2d, 329, 331 (1963). The director may require an individual claiming domicile outside the state of Iowa to provide documentation supporting establishment of another domicile. Absence from the state for 183 days of the tax year or for any other extended period of time does not alone show abandonment of an Iowa domicile.

a. There is a rebuttable presumption that an individual is domiciled in Iowa if the individual meets the following factors:

(1) Maintains a residence or place of abode in Iowa, whether owned, rented, or occupied, even if the individual is in Iowa less than 183 days of the tax year, and either

(2) Claims a homestead credit or military tax exemption on a home in Iowa, or

(3) Is registered to vote in Iowa, or

(4) Maintains an Iowa driver's license, or

(5) Does not reside in an abode in any other state for more days of the tax year than the individual resides in Iowa.

b. There is a rebuttable presumption that an individual is not domiciled in Iowa if the individual meets all of the following factors:

(1) Does not claim a homestead credit or military exemption on a home in Iowa,

(2) Is not registered to vote in Iowa,

(3) Does not maintain an Iowa driver's license,

(4) Is in Iowa less than 183 days of the tax year; and

(5) The individual maintains a place of abode outside of Iowa where the individual resides for at least 183 days of the tax year.

c. In addition to the factors listed for the above rebuttable presumptions for "permanent place of abode" or "domicile," some of the nonexclusive factors to consider in determining whether an individual is a resident of Iowa are as follows:

(1) Maintains a place of abode in Iowa, whether owned, rented, or occupied.

(2) Maintains an Iowa driver's license.

(3) Maintains active membership in an Iowa church, club, or professional organization and participates as a result of such membership.

(4) Documents, such as tax forms, legal documents, and correspondence, initiated during tax periods, use an Iowa address. Legal documents could include wills, deeds, or other contracts.

(5) Immediate family members residing in Iowa who are claimed as dependents or rely, in whole or in part, on the taxpayer for their support.

(6) Vehicles registered in Iowa.

(7) Location of employment or active participation in a business within Iowa.

(8) Active checking or savings accounts or use of safe deposit boxes located in Iowa.

(9) Claims a benefit on the federal income tax return based upon an Iowa home being the principal place of residence. Examples include mortgage interest on principal residence and travel expenses while away from the principal place of residence.

(10) Receives a number of services in Iowa from doctors, dentists, attorneys, CPAs or other professionals.

Unless shown to the contrary, married persons are presumed to have the same residence. Ordinarily, the residence of a minor is that of the person who has permanent custody over the minor.

An individual may qualify as a part-year resident of Iowa by:

(1) not maintaining a permanent place of abode; and

(2) not having a domicile in Iowa for the entire tax year. In determining part-year resident status, whether an individual is in or out of Iowa for 183 days may not be a factor.

(3)Resident determination for individuals on active duty military service. The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act provides in 50 U.S.C. Appx § 574(1) that members of the armed forces of the United States shall not be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile in any state, solely by being absent from that state in compliance with military or naval orders, or to have acquired a residence or domicile in another state while being absent from the state of residence. Thus, residents of Iowa who enter military service will retain their Iowa residence during the tenure of their military service or until they take positive action to change their state of residence.

For tax years beginning prior to January 1, 2011, residents of Iowa in military service will have Iowa income tax withheld from their military pay except when the military pay is earned in a combat zone and is totally or partially exempt from both federal and state income tax. An Iowa resident in military service can change state of residence for purposes of withholding of state income tax by completing Form DD2058 and designating a state other than Iowa as the individual's new state of residence. The military payroll officer of the service person will accept the DD2058 form and stop withholding Iowa income tax from the service person's military pay and start withholding the state income tax of the state of new residence of the service person (assuming the new state of residence has an income tax and assuming the new state of residence requires withholding of income tax from wage payments to its residents in military service). However, the completion of the DD2058 form by the "former Iowa resident" will not be considered as a valid change of residence for Iowa income tax purposes unless the service person was physically residing in the new state of residence at the time the DD2058 form was completed and the service person took other actions to show intent to change state of residence. Other actions to show intent to change state of residence would include:

(1) registering to vote in the new state;

(2) purchasing real property in the new state;

(3) titling and registering vehicles in the new state;

(4) notifying the state of previous residence of the state of residence change;

(5) preparing a new last will and testament which indicates the new residence; and

(6) complying with the tax laws of the state of new residence. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, see rule 701-302.76(422) regarding the exemption of active duty pay for both resident and nonresident members of the armed forces, armed forces military reserve, or the national guard.

Military personnel who are residents of other states and who come to Iowa as a result of military or naval orders, but who later decide to become legal or actual residents of Iowa, or military personnel who purchase residential property in Iowa and claim homestead credits or the military exemption for the property for property tax purposes are presumed to be residents of Iowa for income tax purposes.

Military personnel who are not residents of the state of Iowa and who receive military pay for service in Iowa shall not be considered to have received this income for services performed within Iowa or from sources within Iowa. These nonresidents of Iowa will be taxable on nonmilitary wages for personal services in Iowa they receive while stationed in Iowa. These individuals will also be taxable to Iowa on incomes they receive from businesses, trades, professions, or occupations operated in Iowa during the time they are stationed in Iowa as well as on nonmilitary incomes from any other sources within Iowa.

Since military nonresidents of Iowa cannot be taxed on their military pay while they are stationed in Iowa, the military pay cannot be considered for purposes of Iowa's taxation of nonresidents in accordance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Public Law 108-189. The military pay of the nonresident of Iowa must be excluded from the computation of the nonresident credit set forth in rule 701-304.5 (422). This exclusion from the computation of the nonresident credit applies to military pay of nonresident servicemembers who are in an active duty status as defined under Title 10 of the United States Code.

For tax years beginning before January 1, 2009, spouses of military personnel who earn wages and other incomes from Iowa sources are taxed on these incomes similarly to other nonresidents of Iowa. Spouses of Iowa resident military personnel who were nonresidents of Iowa at the time of the marriages with the Iowa residents will not be considered to be residents of Iowa until they actually reside in Iowa with their husbands or wives. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, spouses who earn wages from Iowa sources are not subject to Iowa income tax on these wages if one spouse who is present in Iowa is a member of the armed forces, the other spouse is present in Iowa solely to be with the military spouse, and the spouse who is a member of the armed forces maintains a domicile in another state. This treatment for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, is required by the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, Public Law No. 111 -97.

(4)Examples of resident determination.

a. Fred and Mary were domiciled in Iowa when Fred retired in 1994. They have a house in Iowa and a condominium in Florida. Prior to 1994, Fred and Mary spent approximately four months in Florida and the remaining eight months in Iowa. Fred owned a small business when he retired and was retained as a consultant and remained a member of the board of directors after retirement. Fred and Mary have friends and family in both Iowa and Florida. They are also involved in the activities of the local country club as well as other civic and service organizations in both locations. When Fred retired, he and Mary decided to spend more time in Florida, especially during the winter months. They usually leave for Florida in late October and return to Iowa in early April. They have transferred their automobile registrations to Florida and they have acquired Florida driver's licenses. They have registered to vote in Florida and have voted in Florida elections. They visit doctors and dentists in both locations as the need arises. They maintain bank accounts in both locations and have mail sent to the location at which they are physically residing. Fred and Mary usually return to Iowa for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and Fred returns once a month to attend board meetings. They do not claim a homestead credit or military tax exemption on their Iowa home, but they do use their Iowa address on most of their legal documents and on their federal tax return. They also travel and vacation during the winter months and oftentimes leave Florida to vacation.

Fred and Mary would be considered Iowa residents because they have retained a permanent abode in Iowa.

b. Susan takes an apartment in Des Moines when her employer assigns her to the region office of a large accounting firm for a temporary period. She spends more than 183 days in Iowa, but she returns to her apartment in Ohio once a month to visit her friends and to check her mail. She intends to return to Ohio when her assignment in Des Moines is terminated. She has retained her Ohio driver's license and she is registered to vote in Ohio.

Susan would not be considered to be an Iowa resident because she has not established a "permanent" place of abode in Iowa, even though she is present in Iowa for more than 183 days. Also, she has not had a definite abandonment of her former domicile. Susan would be taxed on her Iowa income as a nonresident. However, if Susan was assigned to Des Moines on a permanent basis, she may be considered an Iowa resident even though she retains her apartment in Ohio.

c. John is an over-the-road truck driver and his job takes him out of Iowa for approximately 240 days a year. He is married and his wife, Mary, lives in Marshalltown, Iowa. His two school-age children attend school in that community and Mary also has a part-time job as a nurse for the neighborhood clinic. John gets home for most weekends and for the holidays. He is registered to vote in Iowa and utilizes the Iowa homestead and military tax exemptions. He does not own any other real property except a lakeside cabin in Minnesota, where the family vacations during the summer.

John would be considered an Iowa resident even though he is not present in the state for more than 183 days because John intends to return to Iowa whenever he is absent and has not taken any steps to establish residency in any other state.

d. Wilber, who is a resident of Idaho, has a heart attack while vacationing in Iowa. He is hospitalized in the University Hospitals in Iowa City. While there, the doctors also discover that he has a rare blood disorder and Wilber is confined to the hospital for nearly nine months, during which time he receives treatment.

Wilber's presence in Iowa is for a medical emergency. When an individual suffers a medical emergency while present in this state for other purposes and cannot be realistically moved from the state or in situations where an individual is confined to an institution as a result of seeking treatment, the time spent in Iowa would not count toward the 183-day rule. Also, Wilber's hospital room would not be considered a permanent place of abode.

e. Chuck and Linda both worked for a major manufacturing company in Iowa and both of them decided to take advantage of an early retirement package offered by their employer. They do not have any children, but Chuck has a brother who lives in Davenport, Iowa, and Linda has a sister who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. After retirement, Chuck and Linda sell their house and purchase a motor home. They spend their time traveling the United States and Canada. They do not have a place of abode in any state as they live in their new vehicle. They do not spend more than 183 days in any state during the year. They retained their Iowa driver's licenses and their motor home is registered in Iowa. They also have bank accounts in both Iowa and Arizona, and they have their mail sent to Chuck's brother as well as Linda's sister. They show Iowa as their state of residence for federal income tax purposes. They are not registered to vote in any state.

Chuck and Linda would be considered residents of Iowa. They have not shown an intention to change domicile and remain in another state permanently or indefinitely.

This rule is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 1995.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 422.3, 422.4 and 422.16.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 701-300.17

ARC 8702B, IAB 4/21/10, effective 5/26/10; ARC 9103B, IAB 9/22/10, effective 10/27/10; ARC 9822B, IAB 11/2/11, effective 12/7/11; ARC 1303C, IAB 2/5/14, effective 3/12/14; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 11/2/22