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Keeping a home base while you travel

Updated Nov 4, 2026

Your home base affects your mail, your vote, your nursing license and your taxes.

In short

  • USPS temporary forwarding covers moves of 15 days up to 1 year.[1]
  • Each state has its own rules for voting by mail.[2]
  • For nurses, your home state is your primary state of residence.[3]
Mail

If you'll be away from 15 days up to a year, file a temporary change of address.[1] You must verify your identity. Online, that costs $1.25.[1] Allow at least 7 to 10 business days for it to start.[1]

Voting

Some states vote fully by mail. Others let you ask for an absentee ballot.[2] Check your own state's rules with your state or local election office.[2]

Your nursing license

Your NLC home state is where you legally live, not where you work.[3] If you move your legal home to another compact state, apply for a license there within 60 days.[3]

Taxes

Stipends are only tax-free when you work away from your tax home.[4] Read What a tax home is.

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Sources

  1. Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address — U.S. Postal Service. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  2. How to vote in the United States — Vote.gov (U.S. Election Assistance Commission). Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  3. Nurse Licensure Compact: participating jurisdictions map — NCSBN / Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  4. Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses — IRS. Checked Nov 4, 2026.