How can US expats avoid state income tax on 401k withdrawals while relocating to Thailand?

@Pete *****

this is a very good list of items that can help establish that you're no longer a NYS resident for tax purposes, while it only speaks of moving to other states, it's equally applicable to moving overseas:

@Pete *****

If you become a full-time resident of Thailand, you're no longer a resident of NYS and do NOT have to pay NYS tax (you may eventually be asked to prove that you live in Thailand, but as long as you can have bills/statements in your name sent to you, and provide a copy of your passport stamps and Visa/renewals, you will be fine).

Evidence of using a Thai bank account, and using a credit card within Thailand is also good evidence of being a resident of Thailand, as well as receipts from medical appointments, etc.

And yes, I still keep a mailing address in NYS (with a relative).

You can also still be registered to vote in NY, but don't vote in any local (city/state) elections, or that will be considered as evidence towards residence in NYS.

Hi Pete

We are in process of changing over to. Florida address using Saint Brendan’s Isle mail service. They have different pay plans pick which works best for you. Before we leave we will drive down there and get a Fl license and register to vote there. Figured it’s on east coast and works best for us when we travel back to states.

Be sure to consider that if you are no longer a tax resident in your country you could become a tax resident in another. Sometimes your country is a better choice when tax treaties exist.

Hi, I'm looking for advice from those US expats who changed their legal residence to a no income tax state prior to relocating to Thailand. I'm currently living in NY State and do not want to get hit with state tax on any future 401k withdrawals. Is there a recommended way to avoid this without physically moving to a non tax state? Thank you!

Just grab an address from any of the mail forwarding services, tell them that’s your new address, done. I chose one in Seattle. Gave it to the USPS for my mail forwarding address, changed all my bank addresses, VA and military pension addresses, no issues. 

I changed my address to Texas using an RV mail service that gives you a physical address you can use to apply for a Texas Driver’s license and obtain Texas residency.

I am from California. My retirement savings are in Fidelity. When I changed my address to my Thai address there were no CA tax withholding on all of my withdrawals. I stopped paying taxes in CA two years after moving to Thailand. CA has acknowledged that I am no longer a tax resident. I am not a tax resident in any state.

You only have to go to South Dakota for a day to get residency and a driver's license.