New York is experiencing a historic tax migration as high-income earners, remote workers, and professionals increasingly relocate to no-income-tax states. In 2025, the trend continues to accelerate: over 1,800 millionaires changed their address to another state, and New York lost $111 billion in net adjusted gross income (AGI) over the last decade.

The driving force? Taxes. With state income tax rates reaching up to 10.9%—plus New York City's additional 3.876% tax—residents can pay nearly 15% of their income to state and local governments before federal taxes even begin. For six-figure earners, that translates to $10,000-$50,000+ in annual tax savings by moving to a state with no income tax.

The Numbers Don't Lie: New York's Tax Exodus

Who's Leaving and Where They're Going

Recent migration data reveals a clear pattern:

15,552 high-income earners (making over $201k) left New York City between May 2024 and October 2025
New York lost $111 billion in net AGI over the last decade—the highest in the nation
All net outflow of high earners now lands in no-income-tax states
Florida gained $196 billion and Texas gained $54 billion in AGI from interstate migration

While lower-income residents also leave (164,249 earning under $200k departed during the same period), high earners are making strategic, tax-motivated moves to states with zero income tax.

The Top Destinations for New York Expats

New Yorkers are gravitating to three primary destinations:

Florida: No state income tax, warm climate, and strong infrastructure for remote workers
Texas: No state income tax, booming economy, and affordable housing compared to NYC
Nevada: No state income tax, low cost of living, and proximity to California

Other popular choices include South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming—all offering zero state income tax.

Why Are People Leaving? The Tax Burden Breakdown

New York's Punishing Tax Rates

New York imposes one of the highest tax burdens in America:

State income tax: 4% to 10.9% (progressive rates)
NYC income tax: Additional 3.076% to 3.876% for city residents
Combined top rate: Nearly 15% for high earners in NYC

Real-World Tax Savings Example

Let's compare a remote worker earning $250,000/year living in New York City versus Florida:

Tax Category	New York City	Florida
NY State Income Tax	~$17,000	$0
NYC Income Tax	~$9,000	$0
Total State/Local Tax	~$26,000	$0
Annual Savings in Florida		$26,000

Over 10 years, that's $260,000+ in tax savings—enough to buy a home, fund retirement, or invest in your business.

Beyond Income Taxes: Additional Cost Savings

Moving to a no-income-tax state offers more than just income tax savings:

Lower cost of living: Housing, groceries, and utilities are often 30-50% cheaper
No estate tax: New York imposes estate tax on estates over $6.94 million (2025); Florida has none
Lower property taxes: Many no-tax states offer homestead exemptions and lower property tax rates
Business-friendly environment: Lower regulatory burdens and business taxes

How to Leave New York and Save 100% on State Income Tax

Relocating for tax purposes isn't as simple as packing your bags. New York aggressively audits former residents—especially high earners—to ensure they've properly terminated residency. In 2023 alone, New York completed hundreds of residency audits.

The Legal Requirements to Exit New York Residency

To legally terminate your New York residency and avoid statutory residency status, you must:

1. Establish Domicile in a New State

Your domicile is your permanent legal residence—the place you intend to return to. To change your domicile from New York to a no-tax state, you must prove you:

Abandoned your New York domicile (severed ties)
Established a new permanent home elsewhere (created new ties)

Critical actions:

Secure a residential street address in your new state (not a P.O. Box)
File a Declaration of Domicile with your new state
Physically relocate your belongings
Spend the majority of your time in your new state

2. Update All IDs and Registrations

New York tracks your official ties. Update these immediately:

Driver's license (get new state license within 30 days)
Vehicle registration and title
Voter registration (register in new state, cancel NY registration)
Professional licenses
Bank accounts and financial institutions

3. Avoid the 183-Day Trap

Even if your domicile is elsewhere, you can be classified as a New York statutory resident if you:

Maintain a permanent place of abode in NY for more than 10 months, AND
Spend more than 183 days in New York (any part of a day counts as a full day)

Best practice: Keep your NY visits to fewer than 183 days per year and track every day carefully.

4. Keep Meticulous Documentation

New York audits former residents years after they move. Maintain records proving:

Lease or mortgage documents in your new state
Utility bills in your name at new address
Travel receipts (flights, hotels, credit card statements)
Day logs showing time spent in each location
Photos of your new home and belongings
Local memberships (gym, clubs, professional organizations)

How Your Tax Base Makes Tax Migration Simple and IRS-Compliant

Changing your state residency is complex and mistakes can be costly. Your Tax Base specializes in helping high earners and remote workers establish legal residency in no-income-tax states—without the hassle of buying property or managing a physical address.

Our Complete Tax Migration Solution

1. Legitimate Residential Street Address

We provide you with a real street address (not a P.O. Box) in Florida, Texas, Nevada, or South Dakota—perfect for:

Driver's license applications
Voter registration
Bank account updates
IRS Form 8822 (Change of Address)
Professional license renewals

Fully documented: You receive a legitimate lease agreement, utility setup confirmation, and proof of residency—critical for audit defense.

2. Mail Forwarding to Anywhere in the World

Maintain your new state address while traveling or living abroad. We:

Receive your mail at your residential address
Scan and forward mail to you digitally
Ship physical packages anywhere in the world
Handle sensitive documents securely

3. Expert Tax and Compliance Guidance

Our team understands multi-state tax law and helps you:

File your final New York part-year resident return correctly
Document your domicile change for audit protection
Track your days to avoid statutory residency
File your Declaration of Domicile

4. Ongoing Residency Maintenance

Once you've established residency, we help you maintain it:

Annual lease renewals with updated documentation
Continuous mail forwarding and address services
Reminders for license renewals and voter registration updates
Audit-ready documentation storage

Why Choose Your Tax Base?

100% IRS-compliant: Our addresses meet all legal requirements for domicile establishment
Audit-ready documentation: We provide every document you need to defend your residency change
No property required: Perfect for digital nomads, remote workers, and frequent travelers
Simple pricing: Transparent monthly or annual plans—no hidden fees
Expert support: Access to tax professionals who understand residency law

Real Client Success Stories

Case Study 1: Remote Software Engineer

Background: Sarah, a software engineer earning $180,000/year, worked remotely for a San Francisco company while living in Brooklyn.

Challenge: Paying $13,500+ annually in NY state and NYC taxes while rarely using city services.

Solution: Used Your Tax Base to establish Florida residency with a legitimate address, updated her driver's license and voter registration, and filed her final NY part-year return.

Result: Saved $13,500+ in the first year alone. Over 10 years, she'll save over $135,000.

Case Study 2: Financial Consultant

Background: David, a financial consultant earning $400,000/year, traveled frequently for work and spent fewer than 100 days in New York.

Challenge: Still classified as a NY statutory resident due to maintaining a Manhattan apartment.

Solution: Established Texas domicile through Your Tax Base, rented out his NYC apartment, and meticulously tracked his days.

Result: Saved $38,000+ annually in state income tax—$380,000+ over 10 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still visit New York after I move?

Yes! You can visit New York as much as you like—just keep it under 183 days per year to avoid statutory residency. Track every day carefully.

Will New York audit me?

New York audits high-income earners who claim non-residency, especially if you earn $500k+. Our audit-ready documentation helps you defend your residency change.

Do I need to buy property in my new state?

No. You can lease a home, use a residential address service (like Your Tax Base), or stay with family. What matters is proving domicile through documentation and intent.

How long does it take to change my residency?

You can establish residency immediately by securing an address, updating your IDs, and filing a Declaration of Domicile. Most clients complete the process in 2-4 weeks.

Can I work remotely from anywhere?

Yes. As long as your domicile is in a no-tax state and you don't trigger statutory residency in another state, you can work from anywhere in the world.

What if I still own property in New York?

You can own property in NY without being a resident—but it's stronger for audit defense if you sell it or rent it to tenants. If you keep it, ensure you spend less than 183 days there and prove your domicile is elsewhere.

Start Saving Today: Your Path to Tax-Free Living

Thousands of New Yorkers are taking control of their financial future by relocating to no-income-tax states. Whether you're a remote worker, entrepreneur, retiree, or digital nomad, you can save $10,000-$50,000+ annually by establishing residency in Florida, Texas, Nevada, or South Dakota.

Your Tax Base makes it simple:

Choose your new state: Florida, Texas, Nevada, or South Dakota
Get your residential address: We provide a legitimate street address with full documentation
Update your IDs: Driver's license, voter registration, bank accounts, and more
File your Declaration of Domicile: Formalize your intent to make your new state your permanent home
Track your days: Stay under 183 days in New York
Enjoy tax-free living: Save thousands every year

Ready to stop paying New York's punishing taxes? Start your free trial with Your Tax Base today and join thousands of Americans who've already made the move to financial freedom.

No property required. No complicated setup. Just simple, legal, IRS-compliant residency establishment.

Why High Earners Are Leaving New York in 2025: The Tax Migration Exodus Explained