I am relocating from SC to AL. My 3 children will remain in SC (2 are in SC state colleges) and my youngest (sophomore in high school) will stay with family until she finishes high school. I will live in AL during the week and come back to SC every weekend to be with my youngest. I am divorced but have primary placement for my kids. I pay 100% of their expenses and they have lived only with me since the divorce. Their Mom (my ex) lives in SC but has little to no contact with the kids. I have 3 questions:
1. Will I have to pay state income taxes in both SC and AL?
2. Is there anything I can do to ensure that I continue to qualify for in-state tuition in SC since all of my children will go to college here even though I work in AL?
3. Do you have any other recommendations that will help me limit my state income tax between the two states while also keeping my college tuition bill in SC at "in-state" levels?

1. Yes, you have to pay taxes to both states, but you won't be double-taxed, if that's your concern. Once you relocate to AL it becomes your principal residence, because that is where you work and where you will spend the majority of your time. Your SC house will become your 2nd home. You will have to file in SC as a part-year resident (covering the period from Jan 1 to when you move) and in AL as a part year resident (covering the balance of the year).

2. Your children will still be SC residents - so shouldn't they qualify for in-state tuition regardless of where you live?

3. I have no other suggestions - sorry!