Do I need to file a New York State tax return? How do I know if I am a resident of New York State for income tax purposes?Gov or submit in-person at the NYC Comptroller's Office. Just sign up for paper delivery of statements. No. It takes more than that. The general rule is students are residents of their home state until they take concrete steps to change it. Students must be a resident of New York State for one year and a resident of the county for six months prior to applying for a Certificate of Residence. Students applying for change of residency status must submit the following supporting documents. One of the highlighted documents must be at least one year old. How to fill in the forms.