Snowbirds on hook for $60K in NYS taxes after panel doubts their move to Florida

"An upstate couple who relocated to Florida is still on the hook for a $60,000 New York tax bill because they didn't prove their Sunshine State pad was their main residence, the state tax panel ruled in a recent bombshell decision. John Hoff and his wife, Kathleen Ocorr-Hoff, kept cashing paychecks here and didn't give up their local country club memberships, the tax panel found in the decision - which could give pause to snowbirds splitting time between the Empire State and Florida."

"Hoff and Ocorr-Hoff contended the proof of their move was they had registered vehicles in Florida and had bank accounts there, the 24-page ruling by the State of New York Tax Appeals Tribunal said. Hoff also got a hunting and fishing license while Ocorr-Hoff said she started a business with a Florida address, the ruling said. "We disagree that any of these factors are persuasive here, as each is unsubstantiated, not established to have occurred during the period in issue or contrary to the record," the decision said."

A retired upstate couple who relocated to Naples, Florida, retained too many ties to New York and was held liable for $60,000 in state taxes. The couple purchased a Gulf Shore Boulevard condo in Naples in 2014 for $935,000 and invested roughly $200,000 in improvements intending it as their retirement home. The State of New York Tax Appeals Tribunal found continued ties to New York, including cashing paychecks and retaining country club memberships. The couple pointed to Florida vehicle registrations, bank accounts, a hunting and fishing license, and a business address, but the tribunal deemed those factors unsubstantiated. The ruling may affect others who split time between New York and Florida.

Read at New York Post