Visiting and Staying in Sarasota
Let’s discuss inexpensive ways to stay in Sarasota if you come for a brief visit of a few days to check it out, vs. if you need a short-term rental of weeks to three or four months, vs. if you are interested in year-long leasing or even buying a residence. Note, except for year-long leases, rental cost will depend on the season.
Hurricane season is June through November, but they can occur anytime. In 2024 we had five “named” storms come through the Gulf affecting Sarasota. Hurricane Helene passed us by, but coincided with tides such that we had an enormous tide surge and a lot of damage. Just a couple weeks later Hurricane Milton scored a direct hit on Sarasota, which had not happened in 100 years. See the section About Hurricanes for more information.
Lodging Tax
A 6% Tourist Development Tax, or lodging tax, is due on all short-term rentals; i.e. six months or less in addition to the standard 7% sales tax on everything, so plan to pay 13% extra. Everyone thinks moving to Florida can save you a fortune.
Well we’ve found car insurance, at least in the city, to be no cheaper than in Massachusetts. In Mass. there is a 5% state income tax while in Florida there is none, which is a significant savings. However, it ain’t easy to do it with minimal worry over failing an audit.
Saving on State Income Tax
Just spending six months and a day in Florida (which has no state income tax) is not enough to avoid Massachusetts income taxes, as described by the law firm, Margolis, Bloom & D’Agostino. After analyzing cases, they recommend taking all the following steps to assure you won’t be held liable for income taxes in Massachuetts even if you spend more than six months a year in Florida:
- Spend at least 183 days a year in Florida.
- But also spend less than five months in Massachusetts—don’t cut it too close.
- Register to vote in Florida.
- Register your car in Florida.
- Make sure your Social Security and other income gets deposited into an account with a Florida address.
- File a homestead declaration in Florida.
- Update your estate planning documents for Florida.
- Get a Florida accountant.
- And get your medical care with Florida physicians, dentists, therapists, chiropractors, etc.
Glad we gave the tax savings dream a reality check. It’s possible, if you really move full-time to Sarasota but few snow birds really do it, at least in a provable way. Forget taking selfies with a dated Sarasota Herald-Tribune held up in front of you, and a palm tree behind you every day.
You’ll probably start with a short-visit, to check things out for yourself, so we address that in the next section.
