Plenty of obstacles come between people and their families on the holidays: Illness, politics, work.
For Mark Klein, the obstacle was taxes.
“I would’ve liked to have taken the grandkids to the tree a few years ago,” Klein told the Financial Times, referring to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. “But I couldn’t.” (RELATED: Can Republicans Crack The Affordability Problem In 2026? Here’s What They’re Planning)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 03: A view of the lit tree during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Klein, a tax lawyer at Hodgson Russ, lives in Buffalo, New York. He “keeps track of the number of days he spends in Manhattan through an app on his phone, meticulously ensuring he does not surpass 183 days — the threshold at which individuals are required to pay city taxes,” the Financial Times writes. A holiday trip would’ve put him over that threshold.
Klein advises “some of the country’s wealthiest residents.” He reportedly told the Financial Times that “some of his clients fly into New Jersey and wait on one side of the George Washington Bridge, which connects to New York, until just after midnight to avoid triggering another day in the state.”
Christian Burgos, the director of tax services at Pollack and Brant, offered some unpleasant truth.
“If you’re not careful with how much time you’re spending in a particular jurisdiction throughout the year, once you’re reaching the latter half of the tax year you really have to be more mindful,” Burgos told the outlet. “There might be birthdays or family events that you have to skip out on. Otherwise, you’re going to trip that wire.” (RELATED: JIM RENACCI: The IRS Wants To Do Your Taxes — And Make Sure You Pay More)
When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. When the government says, “If you spend more than a half the year here, you have to pay taxes here,” people hear, “So I can spend half the year minus one day here.”
A less arcane tax code would be great (for everyone except CPAs). A lighter tax burden would be great, too.
Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatSandovalDC
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