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UT Austin · Texas Residency Checklist

The Complete Residency Checklist for In-State Tuition

Two proven paths. Every step, every document, every deadline — laid out so nothing falls through the cracks. Miss one item and you wait another full year. This checklist makes sure that doesn't happen.

Rule #3 — Student Lives in Condo Rule #4 — Student Owns Rental LLC Documents & Deadlines

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Luke Allen · TREC #788149 · Luke@austinmdg.com

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~$100K
3-Year Tuition Savings
12 Mo
Domicile Requirement
2 Paths
Rule #3 or Rule #4
6–7
Documents Required
Step-by-Step

Two Paths to In-State Tuition

Both paths work. The right choice depends on your family's situation — whether your student wants to live in the property or manage a rental from their dorm. Every step marked with a red deadline badge must be completed before the Fall census date (12th class day, typically late August).

Rule #3

Student Lives in the Condo

Student owns and occupies the property. Best for families who want the student in their own place near campus.

  1. Purchase a condo or house deeded in the student's name. If under 18, purchase and transfer the deed. Before Census Date
  2. Student lives in the condo for 12 months with utility bills (electric, water, internet) in the student's name. Before Census Date Utility accounts must be established from day one — no gaps in the 12-month paper trail.
  3. Student files federal taxes independently. Parents cannot claim student as a dependent.
  4. Student obtains a Texas driver's license or ID and becomes a registered Texas voter. Before Census Date
  5. After 12 months, fill out the residency core questionnaire.
  6. Submit all documents to the UT Residency Portal.

Documents to Submit

  • Warranty Deed
  • 12 Mo Utility Bills
  • Federal Tax Return
  • Texas DL
  • TX Voter Card
Rule #4

Student Owns a Rental LLC

Student manages a rental property through an LLC. Student can still live in a dorm or apartment near campus.

  1. Purchase a rental property for the student to manage. Before Census Date
  2. Student creates an LLC through the Texas Secretary of State ($300, online). Before Census Date
  3. LLC opens a business checking account for rental income and expenses. Before Census Date
  4. Student files federal taxes independently. Parents cannot claim student as a dependent.
  5. Student obtains a Texas driver's license or ID and becomes a registered Texas voter. Before Census Date
  6. After 12 months, fill out the residency core questionnaire.
  7. Submit all documents to the UT Residency Portal.
  8. Professional management team handles all property management items — tenant placement, maintenance, rent collection. Your student focuses on school. Luke's team handles the property.

Documents to Submit

  • Warranty Deed
  • LLC Certificate of Formation
  • 12 Mo LLC Bank Statements
  • Federal Tax Return
  • Texas DL
  • TX Voter Card
  • Proof of TX Residency (Dorm + Summer Lease)
Division of Labor

What Luke Handles vs. What You Handle

This process has a lot of moving parts. Here's exactly who does what — so nothing gets missed and nobody duplicates effort.

Luke's Team We Handle

  • Find and negotiate the right property (condo or rental) near UT Austin
  • Coordinate title, deed, and closing — ensuring the deed is in the student's name
  • Set up utility accounts in the student's name on closing day
  • Connect you with a CPA for independent tax filing guidance
  • Manage the full rental operation for Rule #4 (tenant placement, maintenance, rent collection)
  • Build your 12-month document binder — deed, utility bills, bank statements, tax returns
  • Timeline reminders for every deadline leading up to the census date
  • Walk through the residency questionnaire and portal submission

Your Family You Handle

  • Student visits the Texas DPS office to get a Texas driver's license or state ID
  • Student registers to vote in Texas (online at VoteTexas.gov)
  • Student files their own federal tax return — parents do not claim as dependent
  • Student signs the dorm or apartment lease in their own name (Rule #4)
  • Student completes the residency core questionnaire on the UT portal
Don't Make These Errors

Three Mistakes That Cost Families a Full Year

Every year, families do everything right except one thing — and UT rejects the application. These are the three most common reasons.

1

Missing the Census Date

The Fall census date (12th class day, late August) is an absolute hard deadline. The property purchase, Texas ID, voter registration, and utility accounts must all be in place before that date. Closing one day late means waiting 12 more months. Parents who start the process in August are already too late.

Fix: Start the property search 3-4 months before the census date. Luke builds a timeline backward from the deadline.
2

Parents Claim Student on Taxes

This is the most common reason residency applications are denied. If either parent claims the student as a dependent on their federal tax return, UT considers the student financially dependent on an out-of-state household — which disqualifies them for residency. Both parents must stop claiming the student.

Fix: Coordinate with your CPA before the tax filing deadline. The student files independently for the full tax year.
3

No Voter Registration

Families handle the property, the taxes, and the Texas ID — then forget voter registration. UT specifically asks for the Texas voter registration card as evidence of domicile intent. Without it, the application is incomplete and will be denied or delayed.

Fix: Register to vote the same week the student gets their Texas ID. It takes 5 minutes at VoteTexas.gov.
Common Questions

Residency Checklist FAQ

What documents do I need for UT Austin residency reclassification?+
For Rule #3 (student-occupied condo): warranty deed in the student's name, 12 months of utility bills, federal tax return showing independent filing, Texas driver's license, and Texas voter registration card. For Rule #4 (rental LLC): warranty deed, LLC Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State, 12 months of LLC business bank statements, federal tax return, Texas DL, Texas voter card, and proof of living in Texas for 12 months (dorm lease + summer lease). Full residency rules breakdown →
When is the UT Austin Fall census date for residency?+
The Fall census date is typically the 12th class day, falling in late August or early September. All property purchases, LLC formations, Texas ID, voter registration, and utility accounts must be established BEFORE this date. Missing it by even one day means waiting an additional full year for residency reclassification. Luke builds a backward timeline from this date so every milestone is hit on schedule.
Can parents still claim the student as a dependent while pursuing residency?+
No. This is the most common mistake families make. For residency reclassification, the student must file federal taxes independently — meaning neither parent claims the student as a dependent. This applies to both Rule #3 and Rule #4 paths. Work with a CPA to ensure the tax return is filed correctly for the full tax year prior to the residency application.
What is the difference between Rule #3 and Rule #4 for UT Austin residency?+
Rule #3 requires the student to live in a property deeded in their name for 12 months with utility bills in their name — the student physically occupies the condo. Rule #4 allows the student to own a rental property managed through an LLC. The student doesn't have to live in that property but demonstrates gainful employment through the LLC. Rule #4 is popular because the student can live in a dorm or apartment near campus while the rental property generates income and establishes domicile. See the savings calculator →

Don't Leave $100K on the Table

Every deadline matters. Book a free strategy call and we'll map out your exact timeline — from property purchase to residency approval.

Book a Free Residency Strategy Call