I'm sorry but I have more questions....(residency questions mainly)

For tax purposes I have always understood that 180 days in a calendar year is needed to establish a tax domicile - I am not a CPA and suggest you confer with one about any tax question.

I think your correct. But you can live out of state (or territory) for longer periods and still maintain your perminate address.-like military serving abroad, or if you travel frequently for business, or if your travel for fun.

Please let us know how you do. We just returned from STX after living there a year.

I swear someone on this site said that if you get pulled over in the states, the cops would tell me I had no valid dl...and the other L word is liscense...I don't know how to spell that!!

The picture on my FL lisc is actually okay, not going to get me any modeling contracts, but it won't make babies cry, either. But, yeah, I'm just going to go with lazy...I'm just lazy...

I swear someone on this site said that if you get pulled over in the states, the cops would tell me I had no valid dl...and the other L word is liscense...I don't know how to spell that!!

The picture on my FL lisc is actually okay, not going to get me any modeling contracts, but it won't make babies cry, either. But, yeah, I'm just going to go with lazy...I'm just lazy...

Well, I was never pulled over in the states, but I did do some offical business in the states and had no problems. So, I don't know about that. Maybe some police are just misinformed and/or just don't know where the USVI are and that we are a US territory. I know some people that never even heard of the USVI or even seen pictures of our beautiful islands 🙁

As for the other "L" word. I was thinking way out the box. LOL
I didn't notice the license misspelling. I pretty much ignore spelling mistakes, especially if they are close and I can make it out, so that is why it went over my head.
It is spelled - license. 😀
When is spell check going to be fixed???

Some people are bad spellers, some people are bad with numbers. I am a mixture...lol.

For tax purposes I have always understood that 180 days in a calendar year is needed to establish a tax domicile - I am not a CPA and suggest you confer with one about any tax question.

From IRS pub 570. But there are lots of loopholes. So getting professional advice is a great suggestion:

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, you will satisfy the presence test for the entire tax year if you meet one of the following conditions.

You were present in the relevant possession for at least 183 days during the tax year.
You were present in the relevant possession for at least 549 days during the 3-year period that includes the current tax year and the 2 immediately preceding tax years. During each year of the 3-year period, you must be present in the relevant possession for at least 60 days.
You were present in the United States for no more than 90 days during the tax year.
You had earned income in the United States of no more than a total of $3,000 and were present for more days in the relevant possession than in the United States during the tax year. Earned income is pay for personal services performed, such as wages, salaries, or professional fees.
You had no significant connection to the United States during the tax year.

IRS Publication 570

watruw8ing4 - Thank You -- a much better explanation of my simple understandings.. this is my home so I don't delve too often into the intricate details. I do use a professional tax preparer with some complicated filing.

If you are here for 90 days, I would say just go ahead and get your VI Drivers License. Used to have trouble with them in the states when they used the "bring in two passport photos when you apply and we will laminate you a fancy VI Driver's License" But the system they have been using for years is just fine when I go to the states. The old licenses used to look like super bad fake I.D's and I used to have trouble when I would go to a bar in a college town when visiting friends in the states. It's a pretty painless process (as long as the machine is working 🙂 ) And they are valid in the states.

For taxes, follow the guidelines the IRS has and file locally if you meet the criteria. But it's a good idea to make sure that you set yourself up in a way that you owe them a little money at the end of the year than the other way around. It can sometimes take years for them to send out refund checks.

The last VI license I had was smudged and looked very much indeed like a fake. But, since I get carded not at all these days, it didn't matter. lol.

I just renewed my VI license this past week - about 45 min. all told - most of it in line to start - but the 2 Ladies I dealt with - cashier and photo room, were about as pleasant as any DMV employees could ever be - and the Senior Citizen rate is always a bonus!
3 people in line in front of me were exchanging stateside licenses for VI licenses - they all had the proper documents and it went seamlessly and the employees were helpful walking them through the exchange.
I have to say that being polite and respectful in what is a somewhat frustrating organized chaos takes some learned VI style patience but everyone is in that same boat once you enter the doors of DMV - it has gotten better over the years, the AC was working, there were a lot more chairs, more space with the renovations and somehow it all works.

The "check your documents before you leave" sign is absolutely not to be ignored.

I just renewed my VI license this past week - about 45 min. all told - most of it in line to start - but the 2 Ladies I dealt with - cashier and photo room, were about as pleasant as any DMV employees could ever be - and the Senior Citizen rate is always a bonus!
3 people in line in front of me were exchanging stateside licenses for VI licenses - they all had the proper documents and it went seamlessly and the employees were helpful walking them through the exchange.
I have to say that being polite and respectful in what is a somewhat frustrating organized chaos takes some learned VI style patience but everyone is in that same boat once you enter the doors of DMV - it has gotten better over the years, the AC was working, there were a lot more chairs, more space with the renovations and somehow it all works.

The "check your documents before you leave" sign is absolutely not to be ignored.

What are the 2 price rates (senior citizen & non) for renewing your DL?
What documents do you need to take with you when renewing?
Do you have to fill out a renewing application?

I always look over my registration papers before I leave. Did something happen to you or did you witness a problem with someone else?

I also like the renovations and the added chairs. Makes it more comfortable, but seems people still like to congregrate around windows, so when their name is called they are there first.

Patience, good manners, and being polite goes a long way here in the VI.

To the OP - most of your questions appear to have been answered with varying degrees of accuracy. I appreciate your approach and intent to be "law abiding citizens"; I was going to refrain from adding to the confusion but in the interest of supporting your efforts, I'll weigh in with my .02.

DL - VIBMV states that you must surrender your stateside license for a VI license within 90 days. As others have posted, I was concerned about the stateside acceptance of my VI license (specifically for car rentals), but have never had a problem. I know others who have lived here for years with their stateside license, but I also know some who have been ticketed for doing so. Recommendation - get your VI license with 60 - 90 days if you plan on remaining here. Tip - Go to your issuing DMV and get a transcript of your current record (I think they want two years) before you leave. VIDMV will send you away if you don't have it. Also, wear something with sleeves for your pic. No bare shoulders - they'll send you away for that also. Not kidding.

Taxes - the person who posted 180 days was the closest correct answer. You can continue to file stateside as long as you live here no more than 183 days (does not need to be contiguous). It doesn't matter where you work. If you have VI source income, the withholding is addressed internally between Fed & VI government. If you live in the VI 183 days or more, you must file your F1040 locally reporting all income. Regardless of others' experience, any variance from the above will likely result in headaches down the road.

Good luck!

Followup - to the poster that quoted Pub 570 - you are spot on. Sorry, I only saw page 1 of these posts. Working from my iPhone and navigating this site is not always easy. That's the best info.

Beachcomber -- There is a renewal sheet at the cashier window in a box - clearly marked - They asked for a passport and SS card and my SeniorVI card. I think Seniors pay half? - that is what it is for car registration anyway - my license was $17.50.
I think the 'check your info" was important because she had me read back every thing on my license before I could leave the photo room.

Also, for those leaving the islands, it's a good idea to get your driving record from the police before you leave. The police office on centerline just before you turn to go to F'sted. We needed it when we went to DMV in KY to get our new licenses. There is a charge, I think $5 or $10.

Also, for those leaving the islands, it's a good idea to get your driving record from the police before you leave. The police office on centerline just before you turn to go to F'sted. We needed it when we went to DMV in KY to get our new licenses. There is a charge, I think $5 or $10.

Fl didn't ask for it.
Insurance co couldn't pull it up in Nexis. 🙂

That's why we went and got it. We were afraid KY would want it and it would be a big deal to get it from the VI. Come to think of it, I think our insurance agent asked for it too. As we always tell newcomers, anything you can do in person is done faster and with less hassle.

Wow. I've been without Internet for the weekend so I'm only just catching up on these posts. Thanks for everything. You've all been so helpful!! 🙂

~Meagan