2: If I register to vote in US Elections, will that make me liable for income tax in my voting state?

As with federal tax, registering to vote does not change your tax status with respect to state income tax. Your obligations regarding state income tax depend on your personal and financial ties to your state and the factors your state looks at to determine state income tax liability.

We aren’t able to provide tax advice, but one of those factors may be your intention to return to your state. When you fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) — the form you use to register and request your ballot as an overseas voter — you’ll need to choose your voter category. If you’re a civilian, the choices are “I intend to return” or if “my intent to return is uncertain.” (Some states also provide an option for “I’ve never lived in the US.”)

It’s up to you to decide which category to choose — only you know whether you currently intend to return to live in the US. You don't have to have a set date of return and it doesn't have to be within a set time frame, but you do need to have an intention to return at some time in the future.

But selecting “intend to return” rather than “my return is uncertain” may be one of the many factors your state uses to determine whether you may be subject to state income tax. Before you note that you “intend to return” on your FPCA form, you may consider seeking advice on these matters from a tax professional.

For more information on how the category you select may affect if you receive a ballot with state and federal races or only federal races, please see: "Should I choose 'I intend to return' or 'My intent to return is uncertain'?"

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