Ohio is a great state to live in, so it’s no wonder why you’re thinking of becoming an Ohio resident! When you make the leap to a new state, it’s important to figure out what to do so you can switch over your residency. Before you get to call a new place home, you’ll have to figure out how to become an Ohio resident. Thankfully, it’s not as hard as you might think. You’ll need to do a bit more than just purchase a home or live there, so follow our guide with everything you need to do to officially become an Ohio resident.
Why Should You Become An Ohio Resident
If you’re currently moving to Ohio or already live there, you might be wondering whether or not it’s important to become an Ohio resident. There are a few different reasons you may want to become a resident of Ohio. One of these reasons is taxes. There are a lot of states out there that have higher tax rates, so if you’re coming from a place like New York or California, you probably want to claim Ohio residency as soon as possible! It’s one benefit that many people think about.
Another reason you may want to become an Ohio resident is for in-state tuition sake. If you’re a student coming from out of state, it’s important to get residency so you don’t have to pay higher tuition. This can save you thousands of dollars in student loans, which is imperative to starting your life with less debt.
Ohio Residency Requirements For Taxes
When switching to Ohio residency for tax purposes, it’s a little more difficult than just declaring your residency. It depends on whether you own a home in Ohio, if you have homes that you own in other states, and which states you’re considered a resident of. When it comes to Ohio taxes, you want to be sure you’re only a resident of Ohio. When you become a resident in multiple states, it can get pretty difficult come tax time. Multiple states will make your state taxes end up being higher.
Different Ohio Residents
Currently, there are three different types of residency in Ohio. These are residents, part-time residents, and non-residents. Which one you fall under depends on a few key factors.
A resident is someone who has their main home in the state. This means that you currently reside in Ohio full-time or majority of the time. However, this isn’t too difficult to prove. Basically, if you own a home in Ohio, you can claim to be a resident. You just have to prove that you are owning or renting a home and currently live there.
A part-time resident is exactly what it sounds like–you’re living in your home only part of the time. This applies to anyone who lives here for part of the year and then moves to another residence for the rest of the year. There are many people who do this in the winter to get out of the Ohio snow, or others who do this in the summer to leave the heat of their home state and enjoy the mild Ohio summers.
Then, there are the non-residents. Basically, to qualify as a non-resident, you have to:
- Be in Ohio for less than 212 days
- You have a permanent home outside of the state
- You don’t receive in-state tuition at your university
- You do not have an Ohio’s driver’s license
- You didn’t claim any exemptions on your taxes from Ohio
Change Your Address to Your New Ohio Address
To change your address for tax purposes, you actually don’t need to do anything until you file taxes. When you get to filing your taxes, make sure you fill in your new residency address. It’s important to also transfer all of your mail to your new address, and you should do this as soon as you move.
How To Become An Ohio Resident
If you’re ready to claim Ohio residency, there are a few things you need to do. First, make sure that you qualify to become a resident. You must have a permanent home that you’re renting or buying in the state of Ohio. It must be the place that you plan to live in permanently, and you won’t be living outside of the state for the remainder of the year.
Then, you need to get an Ohio driver’s license and register your vehicle and title to Ohio within 30 days of moving. This can be a stressful time, but Ohio recommends doing this as soon as possible within that 30 day period.
Get Your Ohio Driver’s License
If you do not currently have a license in another state, you’ll be starting fresh. That means you’ll need to take the driving course, pass the test, and receive your license.
However, if you already have a license from out of state, it’s pretty easy to transfer it to Ohio. You’ll have to go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or the BMV, and present a few items. Make sure you bring along proof of citizenship or permanent residence, like your driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate. Then, you’ll have to prove your new Ohio address is yours. You can prove this by bringing in a piece of mail or a bank statement.
Because of the new requirements for REAL ID, you should always call ahead to make sure you have the right documents. You also need to prove your social security number and more, and requirements can vary if you’re switching state licenses, so it’s always best to call.
After approving the items you’ve brought in, they’ll take your photo, you’ll pay the fee to transfer your license, and you’ll get a temporary license until your permanent one is mailed to you.
Register Your Vehicle & Title
Then, to become an Ohio resident, you’ll also need to register your vehicle and title. You can do this at the same time as your driver’s license. The only additional documents that are required are a leasing permit number (if your lease is out of state) or a transfer request form for the lienholder if you are still paying off your car. You’ll also need the original title and registration of your car.
Ohio Residency For Tuition Purposes
Applying for Ohio residency as a student is a bit more difficult. Generally, you have to fit one of two requirements:
- Have your parent or guardian be a resident of Ohio
- Have lived in Ohio for 12 months
On top of that, you apply through your university. Each campus handles this differently, and you’ll need to reach out to your tuition center on campus for help. For example, if you are applying to attend OSU and want reduced tuition, they have a handy questionnaire online that you fill out and it will tell you whether or not you can apply for residency.
Though you’re applying for a reduced rate in tuition, this will also change your residency status for taxes. You’ll officially be an Ohio resident when it comes to taxes, so you’ll need to pay through Ohio for that year.
Enjoy Your Residency
Once you’ve become an Ohio resident, you get the benefits of a low tax rate and a brand new place to call home! Though it may seem overwhelming to transfer everything over to a new state, you’ll be glad you did it when it’s all over with.
If you’re looking into Ohio residency because you’re planning to move, Bell Moving is the company to help! We hire strong, trustworthy employees that always get the job done. Check out our affordable rates and give us a call today for a free quote!
